Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NKJV)
Abiding in Christ is essential for prayer that pleases God and brings answers. Trying to cultivate prayer without abiding in Christ is like trying to grow palm trees in Siberia. The climate is all wrong.
Abiding means keeping our shared life with Christ harmonious, free from the discord of sin. It is closely related to cherishing and obeying His Word: “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” (John 15:7 NKJV)
A vine sustains its branched so that they bear grapes. So Christ, as we abide in Him, provides the life and strength we need for obedient, productive lives, as well as for effective prayer.
Abiding kindles within us a craving for the greatest gift we can receive through prayer -- a richer experience of God Himself. Whatever else He gives is secondary… Abiding means we will experience intimate fellowship with the King. This is the crowning privilege of being a member of His kingdom and family.
-- Warren Myers with Ruth Myers in “Prayer: How to Be Effective in Prayer”
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