Topical Bible: Answers To Prayer: Received by Those Who: Abide in Christ

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The concept of receiving answers to prayer is deeply rooted in the Christian faith, with numerous biblical passages highlighting the conditions under which prayers are answered. One of the key conditions is abiding in Christ, a theme that is particularly emphasized in the New Testament. Abiding in Christ involves maintaining a close, personal relationship with Jesus, characterized by faith, obedience, and love.

Biblical Foundation

The primary scriptural basis for the connection between abiding in Christ and receiving answers to prayer is found in the Gospel of John. Jesus Himself articulates this principle in John 15:7 : "If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." This verse underscores the importance of a reciprocal relationship where the believer remains in Christ, and His words dwell within the believer. The promise of answered prayer is contingent upon this abiding relationship.

Characteristics of Abiding in Christ

1. Faith and Trust: Abiding in Christ requires a steadfast faith in Him as the Son of God and Savior. Hebrews 11:6 states, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Faith is foundational to abiding in Christ and is essential for prayers to be answered.

2. Obedience to His Commands: Abiding in Christ is demonstrated through obedience to His teachings. In John 15:10 , Jesus says, "If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love." Obedience is a tangible expression of abiding in Christ and aligns the believer's will with God's will, facilitating answered prayers.

3. Love for Christ and Others: Love is a defining characteristic of those who abide in Christ. Jesus commands His followers to love one another as He has loved them (John 15:12). This love is both a reflection of abiding in Christ and a condition for effective prayer, as seen in 1 John 3:22-23 : "And we will receive from Him whatever we ask, because we keep His commandments and do what is pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment: that we should believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another as He commanded us."

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in helping believers abide in Christ. The Spirit empowers, guides, and intercedes for believers, aligning their prayers with God's will. Romans 8:26-27 highlights this intercessory role: "In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words. And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God."

Examples from Scripture

The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals who received answers to their prayers by abiding in God. Daniel, known for his unwavering faith and obedience, received answers to his prayers even in the face of adversity (Daniel 6:10-23). The early church, abiding in Christ through prayer and fellowship, witnessed miraculous answers to prayer, such as Peter's release from prison (Acts 12:5-17).

Conclusion

Abiding in Christ is a vital condition for receiving answers to prayer. It involves a dynamic relationship characterized by faith, obedience, and love, empowered by the Holy Spirit. As believers remain in Christ and His words remain in them, they align their desires with God's will, resulting in prayers that are both heard and answered.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 15:7
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done to you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Conditions of Effectual Prayer.
... embody answers to the letters I have received on this ... walk in it, and you will get
answers to your ... The next condition of prevailing prayer, is"obedience to ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/booth/godliness/chapter vii conditions of effectual.htm

The Fulton St. Prayer Meeting.
... "You received a letter yesterday. ... At the Fulton Street prayer-meeting a number of
remarkable cases were related of real answers to prayer for recovery to ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/the fulton st prayer meeting.htm

In the Name of Christ
... ye pray, believe that ye have received," in the ... us to offer definite petitions, and
to expect definite answers. ... because we have too much confined prayer to our ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/chapter xi in the name.htm

Answers to Prayer
... had himself repeatedly proved that the Lord hears and answers prayer! ... He had just
received five dollars for a ... manner supplied their wants, in answer to prayer. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the wonders of prayer/answers to prayer.htm

The Last Discourses of Christ - the Prayer of Consecration.
... to God; but the certainty of special answers to prayer ... chiefly these three things -
that they received the words ... And now He brought them in prayer before the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xi the last discourses.htm

Prayer and Obedience
... is renewed by the Holy Spirit, has received a new ... John gives the reason for answered
prayer in the passage ... set forth as the reason why He answers prayer, it is ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/ix prayer and obedience.htm

Prayer Perfumed with Praise
... Now, when your heart is loaded with praise for mercy received, let it run down the
incline, and draw up the ... You shall get your answers to prayer when you ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 25 1879/prayer perfumed with praise.htm

Knox -- the First Temptation of Christ
... him to spend all his artillery, and received the strokes ... But as my hope is good,
so shall my prayer be, that ... And so this Scripture more directly answers to the ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/knox the first temptation.htm

Discerning Prayer.
... expression of a child who has just received a kindness ... converted man knows from this
experience that God answers prayer. ... The use of prayer is to bring us into ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the wonders of prayer/discerning prayer.htm

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
... Jerome answers the second, third, and fourth propositions of ... 4808] cannot be overcome,
except by prayer and fasting. ... may not lose what he has already received. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii jerome answers the.htm