Abiding through Prayer

It’s time to move from striving to abiding; Jesus invites you to come to Him where you will find rest and refreshing.

Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. (Matthew 11:28 MSG)

photo courtesy Chionsu Barclay

You must daily place yourself in living contact with God – God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit – by abiding in Him. One way of abiding is through prayer.

Live in me. Make your home in me just as I do in you…But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. (John 15:4 & 7 MSG)

God is not merely beside you, He is inside you, alive within you; you are in closer fellowship with the triune God than you realize.

His presence does not fleetingly come and go in momentary spurts of time but is a permanent habitation, for the Holy Spirit has taken up residence in your re-born self.

Abiding through prayer maintains your connection however, likely an inheritance from Adam, we tend to choose our own will but as followers of Jesus we ought to pray as He did,

saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42 ESV)

Be assured that God will respond.

At once an angel from heaven was at his side, strengthening him. He prayed on all the harder. (Luke 22:43-44 MSG)

And even if God’s answer is “No”, you must continue abiding through prayer.

Prayer is supposed to be a natural, easy mode of communication between you and God where you share your heart with God even though He already knows what’s in your heart.

Prayer is not only fellowship with God but should be seen as a loving relationship; a relationship that is meaningful and of great significance to your life.

Prayer is not just about you presenting your needs and then looking out for a quick response. When you view prayer in terms of the number of answers you receive then you’re only seeing God as some type of automated prayer-answering machine.

Prayer isn’t a programme that you switch on and off, abiding through prayer is an ongoing rapport, like the daily phone call you have with your closest friend but so much better.

Abiding through prayer is not about getting what you want or getting God to do things your way, it’s about seeking God’s face and not His hand; it’s knowing who God is, how great He is and greatly to be praised (ref. Psalm 48:1).

Beloved, when you are abiding through prayer, the light of God engulfs you, it is life altering, as it has the power to change your reality.

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “Abiding through Prayer” ©2026 June 3, 2026