Friday, 28 July 2023
“If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
“Ask whatever you wish.” Isn’t this an incredible promise? It seems almost too big a claim, too good to be true. If you think the promise means that prayer can be like rubbing your genie bottle and fulfilling any selfish desire, then you would be right to be skeptical.
Notice the two conditions: “If you abide in me and my words abide in you.” Do God’s words abide in you? Are his principles and truths at home in your life? Is his word setting your agenda in life? Is God defining the things you “wish” in prayer?
Andrew Murray, in his excellent book, With Christ in the School of Prayer, points out that Jesus says our abiding relationship to him is like a branch abiding in the vine. It’s a growing relationship, and growth produces more fruit. A young Christian might be abiding in Christ up to his understanding. As he grows to the full meaning of that relationship he’ll also experience all the promises connected to it.
Abiding in Jesus means that you live in him. You depend completely on him in life. His life, his will, his purpose become your life, your will, and your purpose. If that’s the case, then you’ll be praying his prayers and the prayers will be answered for sure!
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