November 18

If we ask any thing according to his will, be heareth us.

I JOHN v. 14.

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. — JOHN xv. 7.

HERE we have the conditions of prevailing prayer. First, The abiding in Christ.

O blessed union, — oneness with the Saviour: fulness of love and fellowship with him; a relationship never to be broken, not even death itself can sever it: one continued life in union with divine life, and the same nature unfolded. As is the "vine," so is the "branch" with one life-giving power. As is the "body," so is each "member" sustained by one and the same element of existence. Thus our body, united to Christ's body, is united to Christ's will, "joined unto the Lord in one spirit:" and the body being the "temple," we are made partakers of his nature. He is "glorified" in us, and we are "fashioned" like unto him.

Second, The abiding word. In this heavenly relationship Christ's words are received into believing hearts, without exception, and become our words, and shape our lives. So that in the abiding with him, and his words abiding in us, our will is brought into humble submission to his will, and the union will be such a sweet and harmonious one, his Spirit inditing the petition, that every request will come to him acceptably, and the answer will surely be given.

J. Lester Wells

My prayer hath power with God; the grace

Unspeakable I now receive;

Through faith I see thee face to face;

I see thee face to face and live!

In vain I have not wept and strove;

Thy nature and thy name is love.

C. WESLEY.