The Power of Adjectives

by Terry Wane Benton

One of my favorite verses on prayer is Ephesians 3:20. Notice the adjectives used. Taking out the adjectives, Paul said, "God is able to do...all we ask or think." Putting in the adjectives one at a time: God is able to do above all we ask or think. Then, "God is able to do abundantly above all we ask or think." Then, "God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think."

Do we realize what that means? For example, Paul asked the brethren at Ephesus to pray for Him while he was in chains at Rome (Ephesians 6:18-20). Shortly after writing this request, he wrote to the Philippians about how it "turned out" to further the gospel (Philippians 1:12-14). God turned a bad and limiting situation into a favorable situation that furthered the gospel. It was above all that the brethren at Ephesus asked or thought. It was abundantly above all they asked or thought. It was exceeding abundantly above all they asked or thought.

Putting our requests before the throne of God can lead to great things down the road. Don't lose sight of the power of prayer! Are you on praying terms with God?