More than we ask
by John Berry
In the spring this year I planted some tomato seeds, in expectation of a few plants that I could then grow to produce our summer salad crop. The seeds did very well, and the little plants thrived in such numbers that I was able to give some away, and still I was left with about 20 tomato plants. I had them in my little greenhouse, in pots on the patio and in odd places around the garden where I could find space!
As the summer progressed the fruits began to appear, and we were supplied with lots of lovely tomatoes, in three different varieties. The fridge was bursting with them, we have given many away, there are now jars of tomato chutney in the cupboards and home-made tomato soup in the freezer to bless us at winter meal times.
As I was collecting the crop, I reflected on the words of Paul to the Ephesians: “to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine”… We celebrate little answers to prayer, as we should, but God has so much more to offer. We may quote the scriptures referring to the little things, but I wonder if we really believe that God can do bigger than that?
Are we limiting the work of the King by our low expectations I wonder? However as our text for today says: God can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is within us. If we planned for a bigger harvest maybe it would actually happen. I know there are many factors at work in the issue of answered prayer, but perhaps asking for more would produce more? God’s power to achieve great things is certainly here with us.
I am not planning to increase my tomato production next year, because although I could envision a massive crop, I don’t want it! However, if our praying is restricted we will only receive the fruit that small prayers are worthy of. Praise God for the small things, but actually I want bigger, because my God is big and can do anything, even beyond what I can imagine! And this will bring Him glory. Hallelujah!
Prayer: Dear Father, please forgive us for sometimes being small minded when it comes to asking you for things in prayer. You can do anything, so please help us to match our prayers to who you are, not to what we normally expect or experience. Amen.
John Berry entered the Baptist Ministry more than 40 years ago, and joined the Team at Ellel Glyndley Manor in 2007 with his wife Jennie. They have both now retired from the team but remain as part of the Teaching and Associate Ministry Teams at Glyndley. John and Jennie have seven Grandchildren.
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