Hope More Abundantly

​Ephesians 3:20-21

Have you ever met someone who lives without hope in their life? They feel as though they will always have an addiction, never get out of a dead-beat relationship, have a low paying job, or everything in their life will go against them. That person might be you, a friend, a family member, or random person on the street begging for money. When the unexpected disillusions, it can be hard to pray in hope and to defiantly choose faith in the God who never fails. What a horrible way to live! As Christians, we have a greater hope than we could ever think of. That hope is Christ dwelling in us (Ephesians 3:17-19). The power of Christ that is working in us is able to do more than we could ever think of when it comes to our circumstances. Christians are not immune from hopelessness though. It can manifest itself in sins we are continually struggling with or the idea that we will never be able to have regular time with Jesus. The good news is that Christ is able to do “far more abundantly than all that we ask or think.” Paul tells the church in Ephesus that they can pray big prayers. God can do more than we can even ask or think. He also does it through us and it all brings glory to Jesus. You see, we can pray big prayers because they will point to Jesus and not ourselves. We won’t get the credit, but He will. Take a minute to think about this: What do you feel as though will never change in your walk with Jesus? Now imagine what it would look like if it changed to how it should be. Go ahead and read today’s verse again. God will provide even more than you could have imagined just now. There is no reason to live without hope in your Christian walk anymore. Christ wants to and will bring it beyond your wildest expectations!  Ask God to help you step out of your comfort zone and to direct you to the big prayers he wants you to pray.

1. What "hopeless" things in your Christian walk do you need to give to Christ?

2. What are some of the lies Satan whispers to you that threaten to overwhelm the Spirit of Truth’s work in you?

3. Are your prayers too small?

Challenge: Be faithful in prayer. Keep praying. Even if you cannot see it right now, God, who is able to do abundantly more that you can ask or even imagine, is listening and moving on your behalf right now.