THERE IS ANOTHER slant to prayer in the next verse: “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples” (John 15:8). Prayer is automatically answered if the granting of the prayer makes you more fruitful. The intention of God is to make you a fruitful person: “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit.” The intention of the Creator God is to produce creator children. We are pleasing to Him when we are producing fruit, and we are most healthy in body, mind, and spirit when we are producing fruit. The end of a fruit-bearing tree is to produce fruit. It may have leaves, spreading branches, buds, and flowers, but if it has not fruit it has missed the purpose and end of its existence. Our Father is glorified, not when we attend church, unless the attending makes us fruitful; not when we read the Bible and pray, unless reading the Bible and praying make us fruitful; not when we do any other religious exercise, unless that religious exercise makes us fruitful.
I have been in homes for retired people—laymen, ministers, and Christian workers. Those who come in “to enjoy themselves” the balance of their days wither prematurely and become inane and empty. Only those who keep an interest outside themselves and engage in active service of others remain alive and vital and happy. Only the creative are alive. We are created by the Creator for creation, and when we don’t fulfill our destiny we wither. The idea that travel will keep people alive, healthy, and happy is false—unless there is more than sight-seeing in the travel. Unless there is some creative reason for the travel other than being a spectator of things and persons, the travel will end in futility and ultimate unhappiness within. Where there is no creative purpose there is nothing but the creation of frustration.
O God, my Father, I am a child of Thy creative impulse. Put within me Thy same creative impulse. As I live in Thee I know Thy creative power will work in and through me. Together we will bear fruit—much fruit. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: As a fruit tree is made to bear fruit, so I, the fruit of Thy love, am made to bear fruit.
