In a world that often feels like it is spinning out of control, where personal anxieties, global crises, and “dead-end” situations seem to be the norm, Priscilla Shirer offers a lighthouse of hope. Her book, God Is Able, is more than just a motivational read; it is a surgical dissection of one of the most powerful benedictions in the New Testament: Ephesians 3:20–21.
Shirer, a renowned Bible teacher and author, takes readers on a journey through these two verses, proving that our God is not just “enough”—He is beyond enough. This blog provides a comprehensive summary and review of each chapter, exploring the timeless truths Shirer unpacks to remind us that no matter the “Goliath” in our lives, our God is uniquely capable.
Ten Years Later: A New Introduction
The tenth-anniversary edition of God Is Able begins with a reflection on time. Shirer acknowledges that while a decade has passed, the fundamental human need for divine intervention hasn’t changed. If anything, the chaos of the modern world has only amplified our need to know that God is still on the throne.
She explains that this book was born out of a season of personal observation—watching people (and herself) struggle with the gap between what they believe about God’s power and how they experience it in their daily lives. The introduction sets the stage for a “theology of the able,” shifting our focus from our problems to His potential.
First: Tell Me
Before diving into the chapters, Shirer starts with a simple but profound invitation: Tell me what is bothering you. This section isn’t just a rhetorical device. Shirer wants the reader to bring their specific, messy, and “impossible” situations to the forefront of their minds. Whether it’s a failing marriage, a chronic illness, a financial drought, or a dream that seems to have died, she insists that we must name our fears before we can watch God overcome them. This “telling” creates a point of contact between our reality and the biblical truth she is about to present.
Chapter 1: Time — “Now…”
The book begins its journey through Ephesians 3:20 with the very first word: “Now.”
Shirer emphasizes that God’s ability is not restricted to the ancient stories of the Bible or some far-off future in heaven. He is the God of the present tense.
Key Takeaways:
- The Immediacy of God: We often relegate God’s power to “back then” or “one day.” Shirer challenges us to believe that He is active in our current 24-hour cycle.
- The Waiting Room: Even when we are in a season of waiting, the “Now” refers to God’s current availability and His ongoing work behind the scenes.
Chapter 2: Turning — “…to Him…”
The focus of Chapter 2 is a pivot. In the verse, after “Now,” comes the redirection of our gaze: “unto Him.” Shirer argues that most of our despair comes from looking at the wrong things. We look at the mountain, the bank account, or the medical report. “Turning” is the spiritual discipline of intentionally looking away from the problem and focusing on the Person.
Key Takeaways:
- Perspective Shift: The size of our God determines the size of our problems. If God is small in our eyes, the problem is a giant. If God is big, the problem is a pebble.
- Relational Focus: This isn’t about a formula; it’s about a relationship. We aren’t turning to a “force,” but to a Father.
Chapter 3: Truth — “…who is able to do…”
This is the heart of the book. Shirer unpacks the Greek word for “able,” which is dynamis (the root of our word “dynamite”).
God isn’t just willing; He is competent. Chapter 3 dismantles the lie that God is a passive observer. Shirer explains that God’s “ability” is an inherent part of His nature. He cannot not be able.
Key Takeaways:
- God’s Resume: Shirer reminds us of God’s track record—creation, the Red Sea, the Resurrection.
- The “Able” vs. “Willing” Tension: She honestly addresses the fact that God doesn’t always do what we want, but she reinforces that His ability remains constant regardless of the outcome.
Chapter 4: Transcendence — “…exceeding abundantly beyond…”
If the previous chapter established that God is able, Chapter 4 establishes the scale of His ability. Shirer explores the superlative language used by the Apostle Paul. In the original Greek, Paul almost invents words to describe how much God can do.
“Exceeding abundantly beyond” suggests a level of provision that spills over the edges. It is “super-abundant.”
Key Takeaways:
- Breaking the Ceiling: We often pray based on what we think is “reasonable.” Shirer encourages us to pray based on God’s “transcendence”—His capacity to go far beyond the ceiling of our expectations.
- The Extra Measure: God doesn’t just meet the need; He often provides a “margin” of grace that we didn’t even know we needed.
Chapter 5: Totally — “…all that we ask or think…”
In Chapter 5, the focus turns to our imagination and our communication. Shirer points out that God’s ability covers two categories:
- What we ask: Our spoken prayers and petitions.
- What we think: Our unspoken dreams, silent fears, and internal hopes.
Key Takeaways:
- No Secret is Too Small: God is interested in the thoughts we are too afraid to voice.
- The Limit of Language: Our prayers are limited by our vocabulary and our limited understanding. God’s response is limited only by His infinite nature.
Chapter 6: Turbo — “…according to the power that works within us…”
This chapter provides a crucial “check and balance.” God’s “exceeding abundant” power isn’t just hovering in the clouds; it is “working within us.”
Shirer uses the concept of “Turbo” to describe the Holy Spirit’s role. The same power that raised Christ from the dead is currently resident in the believer. However, this power is often “tapped into” through our cooperation and faith.
Key Takeaways:
- The Resident Power: You aren’t fighting for victory; you are fighting from victory because the Victor lives inside you.
- Activation: Faith is the “trigger” that activates the “turbo” power of the Spirit in our daily lives.
Chapter 7: Tribute — “…to Him be the glory…”
The final chapter of the verse breakdown deals with the purpose of God’s power. Why does He do “exceeding abundantly”? It isn’t just for our comfort; it is for His glory.
Shirer explains that when God does the impossible in our lives, it serves as a “tribute” or a signpost pointing others to Him.
Key Takeaways:
- The End Goal: The goal of every answered prayer is that God would be seen as magnificent in the eyes of the world.
- Living for His Name: When we align our desires with His glory, we find ourselves in the “sweet spot” of His power.
Finally: Tell It
The book concludes where it began—with an invitation to speak. But this time, it’s not about telling God our problems; it’s about telling the world about His faithfulness. Shirer encourages readers to become “witnesses.” If you have seen God move, if you have experienced His “able-ness,” you have a responsibility to share that story to encourage others who are still in their “Chapter 1.”
The Central Message: What is Priscilla Shirer Trying to Convey?
The core message of God Is Able is The Sufficiency of God in the Face of Human Insufficiency.
Priscilla Shirer wants readers to walk away with three primary shifts in their mindset:
- Stop Shrinking God: We often create a God in our own image—limited, tired, or overwhelmed. Shirer forces us to look at the God of the Bible, who created the universe with a word and sustains it with His breath.
- Trust the Process, Not Just the Product: While the book celebrates God’s power to change circumstances, it also deeply values the internal change that happens when we trust Him. The “power that works within us” is often about transforming the person, not just the problem.
- Active Faith: Belief isn’t passive. “God is able” is a call to action. It’s a call to pray bigger, hope longer, and stand firmer, knowing that the foundation beneath our feet is unshakable.
My Personal Review
God Is Able is a refreshing, punchy, and deeply biblical read. Shirer’s writing style is conversational yet authoritative—she feels like a wise friend who isn’t afraid to give you a “tough love” reality check about your faith.
The structure of the book is its greatest strength. By breaking down a single sentence into seven distinct concepts, she prevents the reader from skimming over words they’ve heard a thousand times. She forces you to pause on the “Now,” to linger on the “Abundantly,” and to surrender to the “Glory.”
For anyone feeling “stuck” or “spent,” this book is a spiritual transfusion. It doesn’t promise that every problem will vanish, but it promises that the God who handles the stars is more than capable of handling your life.
FAQs
Q1. Is God Is Able suitable for new believers?
Yes, it’s accessible and deeply grounding.
Q2. Is this book more motivational or theological?
It balances both, rooted strongly in Scripture.
Q3. Can this book be used for group study?
Absolutely. It sparks meaningful discussion.
Q4. Does the book address unanswered prayers?
Yes, with honesty and spiritual depth.
Q5. What is the biggest takeaway from God Is Able?
Never underestimate what God can do—and is willing to do.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.