January 12, 2021 Prayer - Align and abide

God of the Universe, 

Thank you for being the Bread of Life, the One who promises that when we align with you, we will hunger and thirst no more. Forgive us for the times in which we have seen you in action, but have not quite believed. We come running to you and trust that you will hold on and not let go. We desire to align with you, to enter real life, eternal life. Thank you for putting us on our feet alive and prepared to be whole at the completion of time. God, we want to abide in you, to bear fruit - even to let you prune us for greater fruitfulness. Give us courage to allow you to do that work. We want to abide in your love and to keep your commandments. We want to have the fullness of your joy. By your Spirit, continue to draw us toward your love, joy, and peace and live the abundant life you have called us to. Maranatha, Lord, come soon..... In Christ's name we pray, Amen.

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 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. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.  As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.  If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.  These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." (John 15:1-11 ESV)

"Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." (John 6:35 NIV)