Love God Greatly - the Importance of Prayer: Approaching the Throne of GraceSample

Pray to Abide in Christ 

Read: John 15:1–8 

SOAP: John 15:5 

I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me—and I in him—bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing.

Into the text

Jesus described Himself as the true Vine. For all those who know, follow, and believe in Him, He is the Vine, and we are the branches that stem off from the Vine. He is the source of all things that sustain us. He is the source of life. He is the source of abundance. He is the source of our spiritual fruit: joy, love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control. 

As we abide in Him, we remain tethered to the Vine. We remain in Him by spending time in His Word, spending time in prayer, and spending time in community with other believers. The more we abide in Him, the more His life can flow through us to produce the fruit He desires. When we find areas in our Christian lives that are unfruitful and barren, we must ask the Lord to intervene, nourish, refresh, and renew so new growth can occur. As the good Gardener, He prunes the branches that do not bear fruit.  

As you reflect on your walk of faith, are you abiding in Christ? Are you dependent on Jesus alone to sustain you? Is your relationship with Him reflected in the spiritual fruit you are producing? 

Prayer

Lord Jesus, You are the true Vine. I thank You for being a constant source of strength and growth in my life. Lord, weaken my independent streak and help me to rely solely on You. Reveal the areas in my life that require Your nourishment and renewal while helping me to surrender those areas to Your care and pruning. Amen.