Pray While Abiding in Christ

by

The Press Secretary for the President of the United States has an intense job. Regularly, he is scrutinized on the administration’s activity and answers to the problems of the day. In each situation, he must be prepared to speak on behalf of the President.

The only way he can confidently speak for the one in charge is that he has spent a lot of time with the President. He is confident of his agenda. He knows how the President would answer the question, and therefore, he answers on his behalf.

Wouldn’t it be great if that could be said of you concerning your time with God?

As situations arise, your time in His Word and in prayer is so deeply engaged that you know how He would respond because you just know Him that well. There is a way that can happen. You must learn to abide in Christ. Take a minute to read John 15:5-7.

I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me. 6 If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown aside like a branch and he withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you.

Jesus tells us that it is impossible for us to do anything without Him. We are dependent upon Him for our very life and strength. As we abide in Him, or remain in Him, Jesus gives us a staggering promise: “If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you want and it will be done for you” (John 15:7).

Whatever?! We can have whatever we want? Of course you can! This is the Word of God and we can trust in its promises.

The only catch is you must be abiding in Christ and having His words abide in you. You daily walk with Him. You seek His will and His heart in all situations. You treasure His Word so much that you read it because you just can’t help but to read it. You memorize His words because you can’t think of any greater words to utter yourself. Then, and only then, can you ask whatever you want and watch it happen.

At this stage, you have become like the Press Secretary. God still has the authority, but you can ask things on His behalf. You can speak with extreme confidence because you are simply answering how He would answer.

On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being the highest), how would you rate how you have been abiding in Christ lately? Why?
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On a scale of 10 to 10, how would you rate how His Word has been abiding in you lately? Why?
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