06/22/2024
This morning we renew ourselves in studying the fruit of prayer. As we read today’s scripture verse in which Jesus reminds his disciples that they did not chose Him first, but that He chose, and ordained them, we are told that their purpose is to bear fruit for the kingdom of God and that in this endeavor they should pray and receive whatsoever they ask. When we pray during our daily prayers do we consider these words of Christ, or do we simply dwell on being given whatever it is we desire at the moment? Are we bringing forth fruit for the kingdom or simply wanting to partake of it?
“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”
John 15:16 KJV
God saw us from a distance; He called to us from the very foundation of the world that we might serve Him and gather fruit for His glory. He gave us prayer to strengthen, protect, and encourage us; and he also gave us prayer as a tool to use in our service to His kingdom. We are set apart for a special purpose, and in this way made holy.
“According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:”
Ephesians 1:4 KJV
I recall a conversation I had with one of my intercessory prayer partners. He was telling me about praying the prayer of salvation with one particular member of a family and how he was now praying that God's answer to this specific prayer would bring others in that family to Him too as they saw the might and effectiveness of that conversion and God. I joined him in this prayer and together we used our prayers as a tool for the kingdom of God.
Pastor E.M. Bounds wrote this of God and prayer; "He clearly teaches that this matter of praying and fruit bearing is not a petty business of our choice." Then he went on to say "The main objective of choosing us as His disciples and of sharing friendship with Him was that we might be better fitted to bear the fruit of prayer." Clearly Bounds saw prayer as an instrument of God, and His choosing us to wield it as more than happenstance.
Years ago I saw a beautiful girl riding on the back of a corvette convertible on a college campus. She didn't see me, but I watched as she rode by with her long hair blowing in the wind and was struck by her personality and beauty. In that moment I knew that I wanted to go on a date with her. I saw her before she saw me; I had the desire for a relationship with her before she even knew I existed. That moment was in 1974 and today we have been married for 48 years.
Much like God chooses us, I had a desire for a relationship with my wife before she even knew who I was. Just like when God calls out to us she could have rebuffed my advances and changed the story of our lives. Today we too have a choice to make when God calls us. We can reject His advances or we can pick up the mantle of prayer and belief to begin a life with Him.
God calls to us; He has seen us from afar... from the foundation of the world, and calls us. Our prayers are not only the answer to His calling, but the very voice of our relationship. Through prayer we say "Yes" and through prayer we have every subsequent conversation with God and seek His aid in winning fruit for His kingdom.
This morning as we pray, let's ask God to strengthen us as we begin our day of gathering fruit. Let's ask Him to lead us to trees whose fruit is ripe and ready for harvest. In our prayers let's seek not only His guidance and aid, but let's thank Him for choosing us and pursuing a friendship and a relationship, with us. Let's praise Him for all He does for us each day and embrace Him even as He embraces us.
Prayer:
Father thank you for knowing us before the foundation of the world, and for constructing us with a spirit, a soul, and the ability to prayer while we were yet in our mother’s womb. Thank you for beginning the process of drawing us to you from the moment of our conception, and with the first breath that you breathed into us. And, thank you for giving us the free choice to either answer you with “Yea”, or to walk away, because this makes our acceptance of you lovingly beautiful, and begins our relationship as child and Father… man and God. Thank you Father for hearing our prayers, and for giving us what we ask for, but in our prayers we ask first that you always find us bearing fruit for your kingdom. Let every prayer we lift up ask for your mercy for another, the salvation of a soul, and the establishment of a deeper relationship for those around us with you. Help us Lord to walk closer with you, and lean into your embrace as we pray. Let our prayers be the foundation of our life in Christ, the cluster of fruit we bring to your table, and the honey that sweetens every day in your presence. Glory and honor be to you Father, and may our prayers be a sweet fruit in your mouth… never ending and eternally pleasing to you.
Amen, Amen, Amen!!
Rich Forbes