TRANSFIGURATION PRAYER | John Teaches Us to ABIDE in Prayer | Convo #6

“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.” John 15:4 ESV

“A voice came from the cloud, saying, ‘This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.’ 36 When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.” Luke 9:35-36

SEEK HIM: Devotion is Meeting with God in Our Own Lives!

John was one of the “Sons of Thunder,” but he gives us one of the most tender pictures of closeness with Jesus. (Listen to the podcast introducing John here.) When Jesus said to His friends, “Abide in Me,” John was so impacted that he impressed Christ’ words on both parchment and his person. The word abide might sound old-fashioned, but it means to remain, stay, dwell, continue, endure, or be present. To abide in prayer means to stay close to Jesus, to linger with Him, to talk with Him, to listen for His voice. “Abide in Me” is an invitation to carry the conversation with Jesus throughout our days. John loved this word so much that he used it again and again, in both his Gospel and his letters, because abiding became the heartbeat of his relationship with Jesus. From the Mount of Transfiguration to the foot of the Cross and even into his later years on Patmos, John practiced staying near to the Lord. Today, let’s follow his example. Take a quiet breath, slow down, and spend time with Jesus to “Seek Him” about what He invites us to experience with Him through prayer that abides.

WHAT: What is God saying through this Scripture?

In John 15:4, Jesus offers an invitation and a promise. He is saying, stay close to Me so your life will matter. Abiding prayer isn’t about perfect words or rote repetitions; it’s about consistent presence. To abide in prayer is to choose to come back to Jesus again and again: when you wake up, while you drive, as you work, when you rest. John the disciple understood this. He had leaned against Jesus’ chest at the Last Supper. He had seen Jesus’ glory on the mountain. He knew that the same presence that shone there could be experienced every day through prayer. ~ Do you pause often enough to be aware that Jesus is with you? What does “staying close” look like in your real life today? When you pray, do you rest in His presence or rush ahead with your words?

WHY: Why does this Scripture matter?

Closeness to Jesus is the lifeline of our faith like the vine is a lifeline for a branch growing grapes. Apart from Jesus, we wither, losing peace, clarity, purpose and power. Abiding prayer keeps our hearts tender and our perspective steady. John discovered this over decades of walking with Jesus. He learned to live in continual conversation with God. He listened when Jesus prayed in John 17, and later he listened again on the Isle of Patmos as Jesus revealed the words of Revelation. When we abide with Jesus, our hearts stay soft, our faith stays strong, and our lives bear fruit that lasts. The world pushes us toward busyness and performance, but Jesus calls us back to presence: “Stay close to Me.” ~ Where do you notice the difference when you stay prayerfully connected versus when you don’t? What happens in your emotions when you take time to simply be with Jesus? Could you pause right now, maybe just five minutes, to breathe and rest with Jesus?

HOW: How does God want us to respond to this truth?

We abide the way John did—by staying near Jesus in prayer. Abiding prayer is a rhythm of both talking and listening, speaking and staying. It’s not a task to complete but a relationship to nurture. When we live this way, our prayers start to align with God’s heart. John later wrote, “And this is the confidence that we have toward Him, that if we ask anything according to His will He hears us.” (1 John 5:14 ESV) Our confidence in God grows the longer we linger. That’s because, the more time we spend with Jesus, the more our requests begin to echo His will. For us, abiding might look like whispering short prayers through the day, journaling gratitude, reading a single verse slowly, or simply saying, “Jesus, I’m still here with You.” ~ When in your day can you intentionally pause to be still with Jesus? How can you listen for His voice instead of filling the silence? What reminds you that He’s near when life feels noisy or heavy? How might steady prayer reshape your words, reactions, and relationships today?

SPEAK HIM: Discipleship is Making God Known to Others!

Abiding prayer doesn’t end with us—it overflows through us. John didn’t just stay close to Jesus; he invited others to that same closeness. He wrote, “That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us.” (1 John 1:3 ESV) When we abide in prayer, the peace and patience of Christ flow through our words and actions. The people around us feel His presence through our gentleness and hope. Let’s follow John’s example—abide deeply in Jesus, pray continually, and then speak about the One who listens to us. As we remain in His presence, we can anticipate His answers—not only for ourselves but for everyone He entrusts to us.