A friend shared a simple prayer that I find full of encouragement and truth. It’s a short, powerful prayer that we can say anywhere at any time to help keep our perspective and eyes on God. It is also a beautiful way to pray for others.  The word “you” in the prayer is referring to God.

 

 

I can’t.

 

You can.

 

You promised.

 

Please do.

 

 

                                                                                      I can’t.

 

When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.  –Luke 5:4-6  (NIV) 

 

Despite being fishermen all their lives and knowing the water, the disciples did not have any luck catching fish this particular night. Jesus tells them where to again lower their nets, and they are quickly filled to the breaking point with fish. What a beautiful story to remind us that it is the power from above that produces abundance in our lives. We cannot boast about ourselves, as we do not have the power.

 

                                                                                  You can.

 

God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, his Spirit deeply and gently within us. Glory to God in the church! Glory to God in the Messiah, in Jesus! Glory down all the generations! Glory through all millennia! Oh, yes!  –Ephesians 3:20-21  (MSG)

 

God is so great that He can do anything! He makes everything work together on this earth and in heaven. I believe that often we don’t even know God is working in our lives and in us. When we get to heaven, maybe we will realize even more the goodness He has bestowed upon us throughout our lives. In the meantime, our faith helps us believe and know that God can do anything.

 

                                                                        You promised.

 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  – John 3:16  (NIV)

 

God loves you and me so much that He sent Jesus to us to save us from our sins. Because of Jesus, we can have eternal life, living forever with God and Jesus in heaven. What a beautiful promise!

 

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  –1 John 1:9  (NIV)

 

God promised that our sins would be forgiven, and we are declared righteous in His eyes. It is all because Jesus took our sins upon His shoulders and died on the cross. What a beautiful gift that is in our lives!

 

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.  –Isaiah 43:2  (NIV)

 

When it feels like we are in the raging waters or in the flames of fire of difficult circumstances in our lives, we are assured that God is with us and providing for us. What an encouraging promise to know that God is always present keeping us safe.

 

                                                                            Please do.

 

But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it. –Matthew 13:16-17  (NIV)

 

We have great comfort knowing God follows through on His promises. We ask for spiritual eyes and ears to see and hear how He fulfills them in our lives. May we live in joyful expectation to see how God is working in our lives to fulfill His glorious promises and sovereignty.

 

My friend shared an example of how he uses the prayer to pray for others, which I think is a wonderful way to pray. Say that you are praying for Susan to come back to the Lord and faith. You could pray:

 

 

I can’t move Susan’s heart to love you, Jesus.

 

You can soften her heart to be aware of you, Jesus.

 

You promised to open the eyes of our hearts and pursue us with relentless love.

 

Please do, as Susan needs to know you are merciful and loving.

 

 

Be encouraged to…

 

…repeat the simple prayer often.

 

…know the power from above produces abundance.

 

…see how God can do anything.

 

…reflect on the truth of God’s promises.

 

…put on your spiritual eyes and ears to experience God working in our lives.

 

…pray this prayer for specific people and requests.

 

 

REFLECTION:

Do you need to focus more on what God can do?

 

Which of God’s promises do you need to be reminded of most?

 

 

Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”  –John 15:4-5  (NIV)

 

 

 

Hope to inspire you,