Why would Jesus add--"if my words abide in you?" as a condition to this prayer promise? The Greek for "words" is "rhema," which refers to spoken words. Rhema applies to the individual scriptures that the Holy Spirit helps us understand and apply to our lives.

In our abiding relationship, Jesus wants to guide us with His words, providing the wisdom and guidance we need day by day. Rhema is reading a familiar verse and having it come alive in a new way, of seeing how it applies to our lives. To receive such rhema, we must spend time in the Word.

Rhema also refers to scriptures that the Holy Spirit brings to mind as we pray, when we need guidance or wisdom or encouragement--or correction--during the day. He wants us to listen, to hear when He speaks, and to obey the word we receive. Then--in that willing, listening relationship--we’re able to ask for and receive whatever we wish.

Of course, if we don’t spend time in the Word, with His words, His rhema can’t abide in us--and we may miss hearing from Him, just when we need Him the most.