Words of Encouragement November 2026

This email comes to you from Rob Ross. I would love to hear your thoughts or feedback! You can reach me by emailing prayer@sunshinecoastri.com or calling 0402 159 274.

To God be the glory!

I have been intrigued by one of Paul's most extraordinary prayers, found in Ephesians 3. What struck me was not so much what Paul prayed for, but what he didn't pray for. In typical Pauline fashion, he starts the chapter with "For this reason I..." and then takes a fascinating detour, before returning to his original thought in verse 14.

EPHESIANS 3:14 (NKJV) "For this reason I bow my knees to the Father..."

Paul is writing from prison. Yet in this remarkable prayer, he does not ask for his chains to be removed, for favourable circumstances, or even for the difficulties facing the Church to disappear. Instead, he prays that believers might be strengthened by the Holy Spirit in their innermost being, that Christ might dwell in their hearts through faith, that they might be rooted and grounded in love, and that they might comprehend the immeasurable love of Christ.

EPHESIANS 3:19 (NKJV) "...to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge..."

Wow! Consider that for a moment. Paul is praying that people might know something that actually surpasses human knowledge! Not that Christ's love is unknowable, but that it is so vast we can never exhaust our understanding of it. He is asking God to accomplish something in their hearts that human instruction, persuasion, and effort cannot produce.

Now consider our RI ministry. We pray earnestly for instructors, for open classrooms, for greater church engagement, for favourable school leadership and for the many practical needs that accompany sharing the Gospel with thousands of children. And rightly so!

But Paul's prayer takes this to a whole new level.

• What if we prayed not only that children might hear about Christ, but that they might truly come to know Him?
• Not simply that they might understand a Bible lesson, but that the Holy Spirit would open their hearts to the extraordinary love of God
• What if we prayed for our instructors not only to be equipped and encouraged, but to be continually strengthened in their own inner lives by the Spirit of God?
• Not merely praying for the Gospel to be communicated, but for its transforming power to be experienced.

Then comes Paul's magnificent declaration in verse 20:

EPHESIANS 3:20 (NKJV) "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think…"

Now notice how the verse continues: "...according to the power that works in us." God is not merely working around us, arranging circumstances and opening doors. He is also working within His people, accomplishing things far beyond what human effort can achieve. As another school year draws towards its conclusion, let us continue praying for every practical need. But let us also lift our eyes to the immeasurably greater work that God alone can accomplish in human hearts.

An open classroom door is a wonderful answer to prayer. An open heart to Christ is an eternal treasure.

So, pray boldly. Pray expectantly.

Thank you, Lord.