I think my life may have changed on Saturday morning. I picked up one of my Christmas gifts – “God is Able” by Priscilla Shirer, (Thank you, Robyn!) and opened to my bookmark in chapter 4. The author has been taking apart Ephesians 3:20-21 in a smart, funny, and challenging style.

Today, she tackled the above-and-beyondness of God’s ability. Now, I have never doubted God’s ability to do anything. He named the stars. He can surely handle my monthly budget and that speck of cancer in my daughter’s lung.

But, for most of my adult life, I’ve prayed brave prayers and then tacked on the “if it is Your will” line. Theologically, that seemed correct. But, personally, it felt kind of wimpy. Like I actually doubted God’s willingness to take care of us.

But, today, Priscilla Shirer gave me a new tag line.

She describes how often God says “no” to a prayer because He has something better ahead for us. Of course! It is always His will to take care of us. But sometimes (okay, lots of times) He has a much bigger and better plan than we even know to ask.

So this is my new prayer plan. “Dear Heavenly Father, please get us out of whatever jam we are currently in by doing x, y, & z. Or… something better!!!!”

I’m never going to fully understand God. His ways are forever higher than mine. But I think this shift in perspective will change my prayer life. I wouldn’t have thought it possible, but Priscilla Shirer has made me even more optimistic!

Well, done.