Modern Americans often have the strangest notion of prayer. Much prayer in these days is an extension of our materialist convictions. You can hear preaching, here and in many countries around the world, that poses provision as the primary purpose of prayer. This is often taken to the extremes. "God give me a Cadillac." "God let me win the lottery."
But according to Jesus, the primary purpose of prayer is fruitfulness. In John 15:7 Jesus gave us a wonderful promise of prayer. He said, "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.
But Jesus continued in verse 8, "This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." The purpose of prayer is fruitfulness. Today I read day 10 in the little booklet, 40 Days of Prayer, on the fruit of the Spirit. It reminded me that bearing fruit begins with my character and continues in the significance of my life. God is planting His seeds in my life to touch others and impact the world.
The provision of the Father is a foundational assumption of prayer. You don't need to spend much time praying for provisions. Your Father knows what you need before you ask. But fulfillment and joy do not come from worldly possessions, pleasure, or success.
Jesus continues in John 15:11, "I have told you this that my joy may be in you and your joy may be full. Joy comes from purpose and usefulness. Are you praying for fruitfulness? Or are you praying junk?
Comments
Dear Lord, thank You for Your enormous patience with us. How amazing that You have chosen us to bear fruit for You - we, who are so self-obsessed at times. Help us to understand how to remain in You and to let Your Words remain in us to bear the fruit that pleases You. Show us how to discern what and when to ask freely for things that look right to us, like healing and employment - because sometimes things don't work out that way and it confuses us. It may be that You have another way than what we think we need/want, and when that way is painful, we feel bewildered and sad. Help us to trust You to work everything out in our lives, even when we don't understand why bad things happened to us. Help us to trust Your timing, especially when we have to wait long for deliverance. Help us to remember that patience in affliction is also fruit that pleases You. In Jesus' Name, amen.