“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.” John 15:4
People that experience the power of God in prayer are people who have learned the importance of oneness with God. In John 17, Jesus prayed that we would be one with the Father, not only in position, but also in relationship. Becoming one is a covenant term, but it is also an affectionate term of devotion. This thing we have with God is not distant or obscure, but personally known and tangibly shared. It is not methodical; it is based on the dependency of faith and the abandonment of self in friendship. Prayer is not about performance; it is a result of the union we have in the presence of God. The power of God is made available as an outgrowth of our intimacy with God; it cannot be earned, bought, or manipulated by our actions.
Religion is deceptive. People think they are in faith because they are doing their best to apply the principles of the Bible; however, if those actions are not a product of experienced fellowship with God through a full submission to His love, then it is not faith. Faith is not faith unless it is found wrapped in the arms of God. Faith enters into a union with God based on a passionate attachment from our heart. We love Him because we’ve experienced His love for us.
Therefore, one aspect of effective prayer is consecration. Consecration describes the setting apart of our life to God based on our love for Him. We willingly give God our heart so that we can be in relationship with Him, separating ourselves anything that would displease God and negatively our relationship with Him.
Jesus said in John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” In verse 7 He says, “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.” Jesus uses the illustration of a vine and branches to describe a relationship that is intertwined so as to share life. As a result of the union, we bear fruit – we have results when we minister and results when we pray. It’s the union that causes God’s life to flow through us, causing results when we pray and serve Him.
Application: God wants you to experience the majesty of His presence – not just once or twice, but consistently and continually. The most productive thing you can do today is to be with Him – allow His power to be made available to you!