You may have heard that before but I dare you to check this out. I double dog dare you.
John 15:7-8 (ESV) 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
This is an amazing promise from the Lord to His disciples. If you are a Christ follower that means this promise is for you!
It contains 2 key elements = A promise and conditions.
The promise is for constant fruitful answers to our every request. Wow. Check that out…”whatever you wish”.
The conditions are a life based in intimacy and dependence with God and a growing residence of the Word of God in your life (“abide in me, and my words abide in you”).
Both of these things are truly worthy of seeking and having constantly in our lives. Oh to live a life constantly present with the all-powerful, all knowing and all loving God, while His word in me forms my very thoughts and desires. And oh to have all the needs and requests of my heart flowing straight to the throne of God and right back out into this world of need with miraculous fruitfulness. That really makes me want to read my Bible more.
Prayer is a powerful, life changing thing. When we truly come before God and ask for His will to be done in the world we are changed and conformed by the relational process that happens there. Prayer is as much about relationship as it is about the communication that occurs. Prayer is more about loving God than it is about getting stuff.
One of my first prayers is that I might abide in God. And then a second key prayer is that His words would abide in me. If these life changing forces are at work in me then I can begin to count on my life becoming a touch point for the all the works of Heaven to break out. Wow, I like that.
May Your Kingdom come Lord Jesus here on earth as it is in heaven. May it come through me!