March 04, 2026
Read: Ephesians 3:14-21
Watch: https://bibleproject.com/videos/kavod-glory/
The Beginning of Prayer is God
Jesus taught us to begin with: “Our Father…” As Paul considered the staggering totality of God’s plan and wisdom, he was moved to fall to his knees.
When we stop and turn our attention toward God, entering His holy presence, we are naturally humbled. We recognize the Almighty I AM for who He is—and only then do we truly see who we are in His presence. Apart from Christ, we cannot approach God; apart from the prompting of the Holy Spirit, we cannot even begin to understand Him.
But God. Because of His great love, He made a way. Even more, He invites us to do more than just stand before Him—He has chosen us and adopted us as His sons and daughters. This alone should cause us to drop to our knees in grateful praise.
Everything in the Middle
Everything in the middle (the body of prayer) is just a loving conversation between a beloved son or daughter with our gracious Father.
The End of Prayer is God
“Now, glory be to God!” His power accomplished the impossible task of bringing us out of our sin and into adoption. That same power is at work within us today, transforming us into the image of His Son. His power is the very means by which we ask for His will to be done.
His Kingdom come, in our lives. His power is able to do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine.
I don’t know about you, but I am asking a lot of our Father lately. I am asking for things beyond my imagination—and I have a pretty big imagination! The key, however, is that it is all about God, not me. His Kingdom, not mine. His will, not mine. Our primary task is simply to seek Him first.
May God be given the glory, honor, reverence, and praise—first in our hearts and minds, and then in our church through every act, decision, and interaction, for all eternity. Amen!
Pray
Now glory be to You, Almighty God, our Father! By Your mighty power at work within us, You are able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. May You be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever, through endless ages. Amen.
Discussion Questions:
1. The Posture of the Heart
Pastor Mark notes that Paul was “moved to fall to his knees” when considering God’s plan. Often, our prayer life is squeezed into the margins of a busy day while we are standing or multitasking.
- Question: How does your physical and mental “posture” change when you consciously recognize you are entering the presence of the “Almighty I AM” versus when you are just asking for help? What shifts in your perspective when the focus starts with Who He is rather than what you need?
2. The Identity of “The Middle”
The body of prayer as a “loving conversation between a beloved son or daughter with our gracious Father.”
- Question: Do you find it easier to approach God as a King (with formality and distance) or as a Father (with intimacy and honesty)? How would your daily internal monologue change if you truly internalized the fact that you are an adopted heir rather than a “guest” in His presence?
3. The Boundaries of Imagination
God is able to do “immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine.”
- Question: If you were to remove the “filters” of what you think is realistic or possible, what is the “immeasurable” thing you are currently hesitant to ask for? Is your hesitation based on a lack of faith in His power, or a fear that His will might look different than yours?
4. Relinquishing the Kingdom
Pastor Mark writes, “The key… is that it is all about God, not me. His Kingdom, not mine.” This is often the hardest part of the “edit” in our spiritual lives.
Question: In what area of your life are you currently fighting hardest to maintain your own kingdom (your plans, your reputation, your comfort)? What would it look like to practically hand the “glory, honor, and decision-making” of that specific area over to Him this week?