By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. (John 15:8, ESV)

Certainly these words of our Lord Jesus capture the highest and purest object of prayer — that the Father may be glorified. It is to bring glory to the Living God that we yearn to bear fruit, both in character and spiritual reproduction. IN the daily discipline of praying for specific requests, we can sometimes forge these are but small steps toward achieving the greater purpose: the exaltation of our God and Savior. The key to effective prayer seems to be that unity with God’s purpose and therefore joyful expectation of the answer. “Lord, teach us to pray.”

Originally written February, 1985