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What is the most essential
condition
for the prayer promises?
Message #12 (of 20) from the PrayerPower radio series "Prayer Promises"
Jesus promised His disciples, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you." [John 15:7, NASB]Jesus meant we can have whatever we wish, but given the things any of us on our own might wish for, He attached two conditions to the promise which are prerequisites--we must abide in Him, and His words must abide in us. He knows that if we are truly abiding in Him, living as one with Him, we must be emptied of self and filled with His Spirit. If we are, then our wishes will be the same as His. Abiding in Christ might be considered the most important condition of all those attached to His prayer promises--because it is from the abiding relationship that the other conditions are readily met. Abiding, we understand His nature and character as we pray "in His name." Abiding, our life and prayers will glorify the Father. Abiding, we can’t help doing His kingdom work or bearing His lasting fruit. "Abiding in Christ," said Andrew Murray, in his classic book With Christ in the School of Prayer, "gives us the right and power to ask for what we desire." [Andrew Murray, With Christ in the School of Prayer, Whitaker House, Springdale, PA, 1981] In our abiding, we are one with Christ--our wishes and His, the same--and it shall be done for us.
Pray with me now -- Lord Jesus, help us abide in You so completely that Your desires become our prayers, fulfilled by our loving Father--in Your name, amen.
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