Thought for Today: “Our Prayers and Jesus”

In the disciple’s prayer, Jesus said we are to direct our prayers to the Father, glorifying and magnifying His name, as we come to him with our needs for provision, forgiveness, and protection.

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9-10)

Jesus also gives us these instructions.

“And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (John 14:13)

“If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5)

“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” (John 15:16)

“Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.” (John 16:23)

The apostles understood that the most important thing they did each day was to strengthen their relationship with Christ through prayer. The effectiveness of their ministry was not determined by the strength of their personality, but by their relationship with Jesus Christ. Likewise, the better we know Jesus, the more others will see Him in us, and take Him seriously. We can do nothing of spiritual value apart from Jesus Christ.