"Yes, I am the Vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. But if you remain in Me and My words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!" (John 15: 5, 7)
I'm not sure what led me to those verses this morning, but again tonight, after an all-day staff meeting with our Student Venture team, those verses came to my mind as I pulled out a book I am reading on prayer by Andrew Murray, and opened up to the next section.
Andrew Murray asked the question, "What must we be or do to enable us to pray as we should and to receive what we ask? The answer is in one word: branch. We are branches of Christ, the Living Vine. We must simply live like branches and abide in Christ; then we can ask what we wish and it will be done for us."
A branch ... living for one purpose. To cling tightly to the Vine, and to let His life flow through us to bless others and produce fruit. And as I am wanting to learn and grow in intercessory prayer for others, then my focus should be ... to be a branch.
thank you Cherry...I was struggling with this thing as I took my walk yesterday--an overwhelming list of so many for whom to intercede and a scattered empty mind that lacked strength to do it--you've affirmed what I sensed the Lord saying and have deepened it for me...thank you so, so much...you are a blessing to me!
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