21 Days of Prayer and FastingSample

REMAIN

For many of us, we believe that if we want anything, our efforts and hard work are the means to getting what we want. And there is a place for working hard! But in John 15:4-9, Jesus' words were an invitation, command, and reminder of the source of fruit and how fruit is produced in our lives.

The word 'remain' or 'abide' in the vine is what produces fruit in the branch. And Jesus clearly says that He is the vine, we are the branches, fruit comes from Him, and apart from Him, we can do nothing!

As you fast today, the invitation is to fast from self-sufficiency and self-centeredness. Ask Jesus to take from you a self-dependence where you rely on your efforts to produce fruit, to a deeper dependence on Him.

Our 'work' is to be available to Him and His leading. When we yield to Him, trust Him more and make ourselves available to do his work, He will empower us through His Spirit to produce fruit. John 15:9 reminds us ultimately that this fruit is love. Allow Him to love you in deeper ways. Allow Him to love through you in deeper ways.

May our fasting lead us to surrender to Him; so that we might find ourselves in Him and love as He loves.

- Randy Pries, Community Care Pastor