Opening the Windows of Heaven

The New Testament is filled with promises proving God loves to answer the prayers of his people. One of the scripture’s most familiar promises is in Ephesians. We all know it well, yet few of us live as if we believe it. “Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Ephesians 3:20, NKJV).

God is able to answer our prayers, but he wants to do for us exceedingly above all we can even imagine. He wants to answer us not according to our puny requests but according to his riches and might.

The Bible tells us he is inclined to answer us with abundance. “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over” (Luke 6:38). “But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love him.’ But God has revealed them to us through his Spirit” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10). “By which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:4). “[Trust]…in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17).

God is virtually begging us to ask for great things!

We like to call the Lord “our king” but do we pray large prayers worthy of our King’s greatness? A king is obligated to care for his subjects, and his people honor him by asking largely, believing he has all they need and will provide it abundantly. Dearly beloved, you cannot call God your king and then accuse him of letting one of his subjects continue in need.

Have you embarrassed God by your puny requests? “‘Prove me now in this,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it’” (Malachi 3:10).