john 15:5 Apart from me you can do nothing.

God’s word, j. Piper ideas, along w/ed’s thoughts

God intends for me to do something, namely bear fruit. Jesus promises to do for me what I can’t do for myself. If I abide in my Lord Jesus and his words abide in me I can ask whatever I wish and it will be done for me. I am to pray and to pray that God, the father, will do for me through Christ what I can’t do for myself: “bear fruit”.

“By this my father is glorified that I bear much fruit …. Fruit that will abide!”

God is glorified by my prayers because prayer is an open admission that without Christ I can do nothing, that is nothing of eternal benefit (divine value).  Prayer is turning away from myself and coming before God in confidence that he will provide the grace that I need, and the grace that those I pray for need.  So then with confidence I draw near to the throne of grace that I may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.