Let’s PraySample

Spiritual Riches and Power

In Ephesians 3:16, Paul wrote, “I pray that out of his glorious riches . . .” Paul recognized that all spiritual blessings, all heavenly blessings, come from the Father. He knelt before God and prayed for strength. This was a bold and specific prayer. Paul constantly prayed and encouraged the church to do so as well. He urged believers to rejoice rather than worry. He told them not to be anxious and to pray. Prayer is a conversation with God. Prayer is thanking God, adoring God, and submitting requests and supplications to God. It is the connection we have through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

In the next verse, Paul asked God to strengthen the church “with power.” The word translated power is dunamis or dynamis (Greek δύναμις). The word “dynamite” comes from this word. Dunamis is the explosive, miraculous power of God, not human power. We all need this power. We need the power of God in our marriages, parenting, community, and the day-to-day business of this world. We all need God’s power to face the spiritual opposition that is against the body of Christ. His riches and His power are available to us, but we’re not tapping into them. We have the plug, and the outlet is there, but we’re not putting the plug in the outlet. We are not praying. Yet power is available for the church to accomplish its God-given mission. All we need to do is pray.

Men and women in Scripture have relied on the power of prayer. Abraham walked by faith, and the nations of the world have never been the same because of it. Isaac’s intercession on behalf of his childless wife Rebecca resulted in the birth of Jacob, who became the father of the nation of Israel. Moses spoke with God as a friend, receiving God’s guidance and revelation for his leadership decisions. David spoke with God morning, noon, and night. Nehemiah’s intercession resulted in Israel miraculously rebuilding Jerusalem’s city walls in record time.

Jesus Christ remains the ultimate model of prayer. While He was healing the sick, cleansing the lepers, and walking on water, Jesus found time for prayer. He scheduled it early in the morning and spent time alone with His heavenly Father. Prayer is the place where God speaks to us and gives us blessing, revelation, and strength. It’s where He gives us power, dunamis.