by J. Randal Matheny

Remember the story of the genie in the lamp? The lucky fellow who stubbed his toe over the old brass piece rubs it and -- Whoosh! -- out comes the genie who offers him three wishes. Ask for anything, your wish is my command.

The story gets our "wanter" working overtime. We begin to line up our three wishes. New car, new carpet, new make-over, new mate.

It's Fantasy Island, our favorite dream.

I have good news and bad news for you.

First, the good news.

Next to the Almighty, the genie is a wimp. And the God of hosts will give you your heart's desire. Anything. Not just three wishes, as many requests as you want to make. He is able to do infinitely more than all we ask or think (Eph. 3:20). No limits. No restrictions.

Now, the bad news.

The context of Ephesians 3:20 to which I just referred is intercession (verses 14-19). Ask anything, as long as it's for someone else and their spiritual progress.

Paul had just prayed for the Christians in Ephesus, that they might have the power of the Spirit, the love of Christ, and the complete fullness of God. A tall order. Three tremendously huge requests. Three intense desires on his part that someone might consider as probable as asking for the moon.

Not so, says the apostle, and here he interrupts for a powerful doxology (exclamation of praise). This interruption in Ephesians 3:20-21 is not garnish or decoration, but the meat of the whole letter.

We can ask such impossible things and expect him to answer, because we ask them according to his will as we intercede for other people's knowledge of and walk with God.

"Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:20-21, RSV).

Come to think of it, that's not such bad news at all. Just needs some exclamation points in place of the periods, don't you think?

So chuck the fake genie lamp, and get on your knees.