Prayer Reflection – November 4, 2025
John 15:1-11 (ESV)
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
“Draw me close and teach me to abide” is one of the lines from the song, Abide. These lyrics capture well a prayer drawn from John 15, “Jesus, draw me close and teach me to abide in You.”
Today, Jesus’ statement in John 15:3, that we are already clean because of the word that He has spoken to us, stood out to me. The reality that we already clean because of Jesus and we continue to be cleaned as we abide in Him. The already and the not yet. Always in process as He grows us to be more like Him.
Pruning and cleaning can feel abrupt and very uncomfortable as our unfruitful parts are cut away. And yet we abide in Christ and our loving Father carefully and skillfully addresses the parts of us that need to go. Our heavenly Father knows what we need before we ask (Matthew 6:8).
Today, let’s remember to abide in Jesus. Let’s ask Him to teach us to abide. What has that looked like so far today for you? What about before the day is done? Perhaps sit with Him and a portion of His word. We can “bookend” our days with time with Him and His word – to start the day and finish the day. Pause even for a minute out of each hour and thank Him for the previous hour and commit the next hour to Him. Or take that person’s name that is often on your mind and bring that person and their situation to Jesus. So many ways we can abide. How about you today?
Jesus has promised that His joy will be in us and our joy will be full. Thank You Jesus!
I invite you to pause now with hands open before Jesus and ask Him to teach you to abide. Wait expectantly for Him.
Here are songs that come to mind related to this Scripture today:
- - Abide by Aaron Williams
- - The Sower’s Song by Andrew Peterson 6
Blessings in Christ!
