Prayer
As always, we open with prayer. Is there anything on your mind that we can pray for this evening?
Passage
A Prayer for the Ephesians (3:14-21)
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Take My Life and Let It Be
Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in endless praise,
let them flow in endless praise.
Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee,
swift and beautiful for thee.
Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee,
filled with messages from thee.
Take my silver and my gold;
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
every power as thou shalt choose,
every power as thou shalt choose.
Take my will and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne,
it shall be thy royal throne.
Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee,
ever, only, all for thee.
Frances Ridley Havergal
Ponder
1. Is there anything in the song or the verses above that seem to jump out at you as you read them? Anything perhaps that you did not notice before or touches you in a personal way when we read it?
2. How have you personally experienced God’s power in ways within you that were beyond what you could ask or imagine?
3. What are some examples of prayers that go beyond personal needs and focus on God’s Kingdom? How can we incorporate more of these prayers into our daily lives?
4. Ephesians 3:20 speaks of God doing "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine." How does this promise challenge or encourage you in your current prayer life?
5. Why is surrender to God’s will a necessary part of praying boldly? How can we balance bold requests with a posture of surrender?
6. How can we, as a church or Bible study group, encourage one another to pray bold, Kingdom-centered prayers? What specific bold prayer could we commit to praying together?
Pray & Part