Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. … If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. [John 15:4,7 ESV]
At first glance this passage seems to give the one asking a blank check. A binary interpretation of the verse may indicate that there is a quid pro quo aspect at work. I abide. I pray. He provides what I want. Most of us know however that this is not how life or prayer works at all.
The presence of two abides in this verse gives us a clue as to the relational aspect of prayer. When I read about the words of Christ abiding in me I think about transformation and maturity. We ask for what we want. What we want is God. The heart transformed wants him and his will.
There is a transforming maturity that comes only from abiding in Christ. The older I get, the more that I realize that all I really want is God. He can give me what I really need. He can bring friends to my side and laughter to my heart. Our task is to simply trust in him as we abide.
Teach us Lord. What it means to abide. And what it means to pray.
... this devotion is part of the z2a bible words series.
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