What Do We Pray For?

“If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given to you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit,

showing yourselves to be my disciples” (John 15: 7-8).

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit- fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name” (John 15:16).

“In that day, you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete” (John 16:23-24).

Do you pray to God for support? For him to find a solution to a problem or a way out of a difficult situation? Do you pray to him to satisfy your desire for a material object? Do you look for what you think is missing in your life and ask God to provide it? Do we really know what we need and are we spiritually in the right place to ask? Do we trust that God knows what is best for us?

Jesus explains to the disciples that he is the vine, that we are the branches, and God the Father is the gardener who cuts away the branches that don’t bear fruit. Only branches that abide in the vine will bear fruit. Only believers who abide in Jesus will produce fruit. It is not a strong prayer life in itself that will make us fruitful, it is Jesus who enables us to bear fruit and then the Father will hear our prayers. To remain in Jesus’ words and love, we must obey his commands, as Jesus obeyed the Father’s commands and stayed in his love. Jesus commanded us to love one another. When we turn to Christ, listen to him, desire to abide in him, obey his commands, we ─ the branches of the vine ─ will be nourished by the vine and will bear fruit.  Under these circumstances, God the Father will hear and fulfil our prayers made in Jesus’ name.

Prayer:O dear Father, we thank you for the vine that nourishes us and makes us bear fruit!