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, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)

My friend Tobie came to the door again the other day with armfuls of baby clothes. Her nephew is growing and they are passing on what he has outgrown.  I’m so blessed to receive these lovely baby items.  Friends found out that God has answered our prayers — after 11 years of praying we’re having another baby!   I’m overwhelmed by their generosity.  And it was just one day in spring that I whispered a prayer to Jesus asking for clothes.

First my friend Jessica came with maternity clothes and then baby clothes, then Tobie, then Amy, then Crystal.  God is so good!  My maternity mutterings turned into immeasurably more than I could ask or imagine.  Thank you, Jesus, for taking such good care of us, please bless my dear friends!

Our pastor preached recently on this verse from Ephesians.  I love God’s promise to do iMmeasurably More than we can ask or imagine.  Isn’t that an amazing promise?  I call it my “M&M prayers.”

How does this work?  I’ve been praying so much.  I can’t pray anymore.  I give it all to Jesus and I claim His promise from Ephesians 3:20-21 to do iMmeaurably More.  That’s it.  Dearest Jesus,  Please take this prayer concern and do iMmeasurabley More than I can ask or imagine.  I know you can Move Mountains, Lord. Thank you, dear Jesus.

It’s fun to read other versions of the Bible and find out how they express this M&M prayer…

“exceeding abundantly above”
“far beyond”
“far more”
“far exceedingly above”
“all things more abundantly”
“far more abundantly”
“infinitely more”
“much more”
“more plenteously”
“above and beyond”
“far more abundantly beyond”

I still wonder why other prayers I’ve prayed everyday for years, God has yet to answer.  I prayed over a decade for our church camp to be blessed with campers and finances, and instead groups canceled.  We pray for loved ones to return to God’s path, and they are still wandering from it.  I shared this concern with my friend Claire and she knew just what I meant.  Claire replied,

“When my husband Pete was dying of cancer, I prayed for a miracle.  A man in my office received a pack of pens one day and exclaimed, ‘Oh, good!  I’ve been praying for pens.’  I’m thinking, ‘God hears prayers for pens and not for Pete!’  It doesn’t make sense!”

Yet over 10 years later, God is using the hurts of Claire’s life as she reaches out to help others who are hurting in prison ministry.  God is doing exceeding abundantly above what we could imagine. I pray that He also will do far beyond what I can dream for the church camp that continues on without us.  I pray that He will do infinitely more for our loved ones than I could ever hope or pray. And I know that He loves me, because He heard my maternity mutterings, and has blessed me and our baby with clothes after 11 years of prayer. Thank you, dear Jesus.

Today’s TEA CUPP: iMmeasurably More…M&M Prayers. How are your prayers today?  Have you prayed all you can pray?  Are you discouraged?  Just as a bag of M&Ms brings joy to the chocolate lover, let your M&M prayers bring joy to your soul.  Give it to Jesus and ask Him for iMmeasurably More today.

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20  (NIV)