Monday 9th February

Quiet your heart and mind. Consider breathing deeply and exhale slowly. Focus your mind on God.

“Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song..."

Psalm 95:2

Ponder: List 5 things about God that you are thankful for. Sit quietly and speak your thanks to Him.

Scripture

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, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21 (NKJV)

First, listen for what this prayer says to you. Insert your name and imagine someone is praying this for you. Read the verses again slowly. What message do you hear?

Flourishing exceedingly abundantly above

I am joining TeachBeyond at a time its sights are set on Vision 2040 – “transformational education for everyone, everywhere" – emphasizing the importance of flourishing National Entities (NEs) to accomplishing this vision. As I reflected on our text, the Lord impressed upon my heart the NKJV translation about our God “who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above" (v. 20). Before our text, Paul highlights the manifold wisdom of this God (v. 10), and the riches of his glory (v. 16). From our text, Paul extols God as the One:

• Who is able to do;
• Who is the unlimited God who can do unlimited things;
• Who is the All-Powerful (Omnipotent) - empowering us through and blessing us beyond our asking (in prayers), our thinking (of ideas, insights and visions), and enabling us to do (perform, excel) as TeachBeyond.

In this vein, all our NEs are not only to just flourish, but flourish exceedingly abundantly above!

In line with Paul’s prayer, I ask that we pray for:

• The superabundant prosperity of NEs within economically challenged contexts,
• A grand transformational experience for NEs within socially challenged nations, and
• An abounding reign of Christ within politically challenged nations.

Certainly, beyond our “asking" or “thinking" about these things, God is more than able to do it! It would not be by the President’s power, nor by his national representatives, but according to divine power (Zech. 4:6). Above all, this shall be to God’s glory forever and ever in Jesus’ name! Shalom!

Bolaji Bakare, National Coordinator, TeachBeyond Nigeria

Now ask God who you can pray this prayer for. Insert their name(s) as you pray.

Kids’ Question: If you could ask God to do something big, what would it be?