◄ What Does Ephesians 3:16 Mean? ►

Paul was a man who interceded for others in the Body of Christ, and often we discover him to be lifting up Christian brothers and sisters in pleading prayer, earnestly asking the Lord that all who are born from above might mature in the faith, and grow in grace in accordance with the riches of God's super-abundant glory and His perfect will. He prayed that they may be strengthened with all-power in the inner man, through the might and merit of the Holy Spirit.

It is not a little shower of spiritual strength or a tiny flutter of blessing for which Paul is seeking the Lord on our behalf, but a super-abundant outpouring of multiplied blessings which cascades from God's own divine riches and His infinite kindness into our inner soul and hungry heart.

It is not a limited portion OUT OF the riches of God's infinite glory for which Paul is making this bold request, but ACCORDING TO the riches of God's infinite glory. Paul's prayer is that the Body of Christ would be strengthened in the inner man according to the riches of God's infinite glory and the power of His everlasting might, majesty, dominion, and power.

When Paul interceded for the Body of Christ, he prayed big and bold prayers according to the might and majesty of our heavenly Father. This verse in Ephesians is only the first part of an amazing and powerful prayer, for Paul's prayer continues: "So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen."

Paul is not praying for an outward show of miraculous miracles or declaring supernatural signs in the life of Christians. Paul is not naming and claiming economic prosperity, a powerful position, or a good job, but an inner spiritual vigour that steadies and secures the believer in the truth of God's Word and secures and strengthens an unshakable trust in His precepts and promises. Paul knows the importance of seeking first the kingdom of God.

Let us emulate Paul's passion and his powerful prayer as we also bow our knee to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and let us also intercede for our brothers and sisters in Christ, that each may receive a super-abundant outpouring of multiplied blessings which cascade from God's own divine riches and infinite kindness into their inner soul. May we all die to self and live for Christ as we all mature in the faith, grow in grace, and, in accordance with the riches of God's super-abundant glory and His perfect will, are strengthened with all-power in the inner man.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the example of Paul and his passionate pleading prayer for Body of Christ. Teach me to pray into Your will for every member of the Church. May all those that have been called by Your name, be strengthened in the inner man by the power of Your Spirit. May this be done according to the super-abundant riches of Your glory and grace. This I ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.