Conditions for Prayer, 3

Matthew 11:28, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

We find two conditions for an effective prayer life in John 15:7, "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you."

The word "abide" is also translated "remain." We are to abide in Christ as a branch abides in its vine. You know what happens to a branch that has been broken off. Just as a branch is totally dependent upon its vine for life and fruitfulness, we are totally dependent upon God. We can't even take our next breath without Him. Jesus spelled it out when for us when He said, according to John 15:5, "Apart from me you can do nothing."

The abiding life is the life that is one hundred percent yielded to God. We are urged in Romans 12:1 to offer ourselves as living sacrifices to Christ. Remember, Jesus is either Lord of all or not Lord at all.

This totally committed life has been called "the Spirit-filled life," "the Christ controlled life" "the Lordship of Christ," and "the abundant life." Watchman Nee calls it simply "the normal Christian life," and it should be the norm for every Christian.

Sidney Lanier wrote these words, "As the marsh hen silently builds on the watery sod, behold,I will build me a nest in the greatness of God." Picture that little bird who has been navigating the skies all day as she returns at nightfall to rest and relax in her nest. Think how good it feels to us when we come home at the end of the day after navigating our way through our chores and responsibilities. How great it feels to kick off our shoes and relax in our favorite chairs with a sigh of relief. It feels even better to relax completely in the power and wisdom and love of our Father and Savior, and we can find rest there any time of the day or night as we abide, settle down, give the full weight of our burdens to Him, and make our spiritual home in Him through prayer.

Thank You, Father, that rest in You is always available to us. May we constantly abide in You. Amen.