ask what ye will"
(John xv. 7). We are in Christ, by the grafting of the great
Husbandman, who took us out of the wild vine of nature, and
incorporated us with Christ. That union is forever, but its conscious
enjoyment and helpfulness arise only in so far as we keep His
commandments. A limb may be in the body, and yet be dislocated and
useless. If you are in a train running through to your destination at
the terminus, all that is necessary is to resist the temptation to
alight at the stations _en route_, and to remain where you are. If,
then, God the Father has put you into Christ, and is seeking to
establish you in Him, be careful to resist every temptation or
suggestion to depart from living fellowship by any act of disobedience
or unbelief.

If you abide in Christ in daily fellowship, it will not be difficult to
pray aright, for He has promised to abide in those who abide in Him;
and the sap of the Holy Ghost, securing for you fellowship with your
unseen Lord, will produce in you, as fruit, desires and petitions
similar to those which He unceasingly presents to His Father.
Throughout the ages Christ has been asking of God. This is the
perpetual attitude of the Son to the Father. He cannot ask what the
Father may not give. To get then into the current of His prayer is to
be sure of success. Abide in Him, that He may abide in you; not only
in the activities of holy service, but in the intercessions and
supplications of the hour of private prayer.

(4) _Submit prayer to the correction of the Word._--"If My words abide
in you" . . . (John xv. 7). Christ's words have been compared to a
court of solemn and stately presences, sitting to try our prayers
before they pass on into the Master's presence.

Here is a prayer which is selfish and earth-born, grasping at the
prizes of worldly ambition and greed. But as it enters it encounters
that solemn word, "_Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His
righteousness,_" and it turns back surprised and ashamed.

Here is another prayer, full of imprecation and unkindness toward some
one who has maligned or injured the petitioner. But it is met by that
solemn word of the Master, "_Love your enemies, pray for them that
despitefully use you,_" and it hastens to retire.

Here is another prayer full of murmuring regret because of the pressure
of the cross, the weight of the restraining yoke. But forthwith that
notable word of Christ forbids its further progress, saying, "_