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John 15:7 - Secrets to Answered Prayer.

John 15:7: Secrets to Answered Prayer.

John 15:7 (KJV) If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye 
shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 

John 15:7 (NIV) If you remain in me and my words remain in you, 
ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 

John 15:7 (NCV) If you remain in me and follow my teachings, you 
can ask anything you want, and it will be given to you. 

John 15:7 (CEV) Stay joined to me and let my teachings become 
part of you.  Then you can pray for whatever you want, and your 
prayer will be answered. 

John 15:7 (AMPC) If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] 
and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask 
whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. 

INTRODUCTION

Jesus gives a sweeping promise to those who "remain" - or, as 
some translations say, "abide" - in him. What does he mean by that? 
The Greek word means "live, continue, endure, stay, wait." And we 
can tell from verse 10, which uses the same word, that this 
"remaining" includes adhering to Jesus' instructions. Practically, this 
means following him closely, becoming like-minded with him, being 
united with him. As we trust him to live his life within us, we can be 
increasingly confident that his desires are blending with our desires and 
that our hearts will ask for things he is ready and willing to grant. 
When our will is aligned with his, our prayers are answered 
powerfully. [NIV Once A Day Bible] 

COMMENTARY

   We are drawn to those who love us, and we enjoy doing things 
for them. In fact, we go out of our way to please those who express 
affection for us. So does God. He responds to our affection for Him with 
signs of His affection for us.  
   Those who delight in God - who turn their hearts toward Him 
and enjoy His Presence, regardless of the trials and contradictions 
in their lives - notice an unusual phenomenon. Their desires begin 
to be fulfilled. Part of the reason for that is that when we are 
saturated in love for God, His Spirit can shape our desires. He plants His 
desires within us. But another reason is that when our hearts are drawn 
to Him, He is drawn to us. He rises up to defend and provide for 
those who have enjoyed His intimacy.  
   This is why Jesus tells His disciples that if they remain 
united to Him and His words thrive in them, they can ask any request 
they want and He will do it for them (John 15:7). God doesn't just 
impose His sovereign will on those who love Him. Our desires affect 
Him. He interacts with us at the level of our longings. He shapes who 
we are and then trusts us to desire worthwhile things. Then He 
supports those desires and fulfills them.  
   However this extravagant promise functions, the result is 
that our desires and His answers line up.We no longer live in 
futility and frustration with our longings remaining perpetually 
unfulfilled. Somehow our pleasure in God results in His pleasure in 
fulfilling the matters on our hearts.  
   Father, in spite of all my questions, and in spite of 
whatever contradictions my faith experiences, I delight in who You are. 
My relationship with You is my highest priority. Shape my heart, 
fill me with Your desires, and let me experience satisfaction and 
fulfillment. [The One Year Experiencing Gods Presence Devotional by Chris 
Tiegreen re Psa. 37:4] 

   Some promises are conditional. You might promise to take the 
children to the park - if they get their chores done. No chores - well 
then, no park. The Bible has conditional promises too. In today's 
Scripture, Jesus says, "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask 
whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." Yes, we can ask whatever 
we wish in prayer, but Jesus adds two important qualifiers. First, 
we must be living in close fellowship with Him. Second, our 
requests must be in line with His will. Prayer, then, is not a blank 
check. You can't just fill in whatever amount you like, no matter what 
your spiritual condition, and expect God to cash it for you. No, the 
most important lesson in prayer - and life itself - is to remain in 
close, constant fellowship with God's Son, filling your mind and heart 
with His words and His promises.  
   Lord Jesus, I see what You're saying here. If I'm thinking of 
You, walking with You, loving You, and sharing my thoughts with You, 
then what I ask of You will be the very concerns You have already 
placed in my heart. I'll be praying for the people You want to rescue, 
help, and heal. I'll be praying to You and with You. [A Spectacle of 
Glory by Joni Eareckson Tada and Larry Libby] 

CLOSING THOUGHT

Knowing His words will control and guide our prayers so that He 
can answer them. [Ryrie SB] 

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE

Prayer Power: 
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2006/20060419-0940.html 

Praying in Jesus' Name: 
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2009/20090527-2113.html 

Will Not God Give Us All Things That Are For Our Good: 
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2017/20170314-1044.html 

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782

Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES AND SEMINARS

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/

ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com