The 21 Day Experiment - Day 15: What’s Your Big Ask?

by Marilynn Chadwick

Ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7 (NIV)

I often go to God with big prayer requests. Prayers for my family, friends, and people who need help. I believe God answers prayer. The Bible encourages us to ask God for what we need—to go boldly with our heartfelt desires. To bring our “big ask” to him.

But in John 15, Jesus calls us to a relationship with him as the starting point for our prayers. He calls himself the "true vine." He reminds us that we're his "branches." Branches can't bear fruit apart from the vine.

In our busy, noisy world, I'm likely to blow right past the relationship with Jesus in my quest for answered prayer. Jesus stops me dead in my tracks with these words which are my watchword for today: “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you” (v. 7).

The word "remain" comes from the Greek word meno which means to "abide, or dwell." I'm to make my “home" in Jesus. I'm to plant myself in him and his words in me. This sets up the condition for fruitful living as well as answered prayer. When I remain in him, I'm more likely to be praying his will. Powerful words. Powerful reminder.

I’m struck by the fact that Jesus uses the word “remain" eleven times in the first ten verses. If I told my kids something eleven times, you could bet I meant it! Surely, Jesus's challenge to "remain in him" is an important take away from our reading.

What does "remaining" look like for me practically?

• I carve out time with the Lord each morning. I plant the seeds of God’s Word first thing.

• I pace myself throughout the day to keep in step with the Lord’s leading.

• I remain alert to the voice of the Holy Spirit.

• I'm fierce with my "Sabbath." Humans need to come apart or we "come apart." Rest is vital if we want to remain in Christ.

• I seek wise counsel from those who have learned the secret of resting, reflection, and remaining in Christ.
  

Prayer: Lord, it’s all about the relationship with you. Answered prayer is just a by-product. And like any habit, the reward of learning to remain in you takes time. Help me to be faithful in the “dailiness” of this habit.

Thanks for reading and listening with us this week! The “21 Day Experiment” blog and podcast will resume again on Monday.