By Erika A. Bruckner, Director of Marketing and Communications
A global movement of prayer has begun under BCM International’s Project 155. Each day, around the world in different time zones, notifications are set to alert friends of BCM when it’s 1:55 p.m. What happens then?
We pray.
I’ve heard stories of leaders pausing during board meetings; speakers stopping to bow their heads in the middle of presentations; co-workers interrupting their everyday conversations – all to go to God in prayer. This particular picture shows Latin American BCM ministries pausing in Buenos Aires during a conference lunch to pray at 1:55 p.m.
They spend one minute praying for God’s work through BCM, the people, the ministry – all for God’s glory. Then, they go back to their day.
Why 1:55? Why prayer?
Abiding in Prayer
We get our cue from John 15:5: “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”
This verse focuses us on the truth that all BCM ministries are God’s ministries. We are willing, and we desire much fruit. Yet it’s only in God’s power and will that anything is accomplished through us.
Prayer reminds us that God has prepared every good work in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10); He is the one who empowers us to do it (Philippians 4:13), and He will be faithful to complete it in Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6).
We do this as a daily rhythm because of one particular word in John 15:5, “Abide.”
Invited to Abide
This one word is packed with meaning. The original language brings the elements of endurance, continuing and staying, as well as the beautiful concept of dwelling.
If we’re talking about a living space, you are invited in. Not only that – you are invited to reside, welcome in the home of the Creator of the Universe. He’s not offended or caught off guard by you as a surprise visitor. He keeps the door unlocked, and you have a standing invitation to come in. John 15 gives you the clear invitation to abide with Him, and He’s holding the door open for you.
The original word in John 15:5 has been translated both “abide” and “remain” in modern biblical translations. The “endurance” element of the word “abide” means you’re not a one-time visitor. Our God isn’t entertaining an acquaintance for an afternoon. To abide means: this is where you dwell. It’s where you spend your time. It’s the everyday place you regularly return to again and again. It’s home.
Abiding in Christ is your place of peace and safety. It’s lasting – unaffected by the elements outside. This is the place where you are fed. It is the place where you rest. It is the place where you remember who you are and Whose you are.
Commanded to Abide
Now, look at this invitation. It’s not just a nice offer; it’s a command. Our Father knows the best place for His children to dwell is the state of abiding in Him. He shares the truth, “apart from me, you can do nothing.” This isn’t meant to be a discouraging or arrogant statement. This is the truth that unlocks our ability to do what He has called us to do – through Him. Since we cannot do anything without Him, He commands us to abide in Him. This is the only chance we have to bear fruit. It’s all because of God.
God with Us
This instance isn’t the first time “abide” is used in Scripture. In the Old Testament book of Numbers, the word was used in relation to how God’s presence was in place over the tabernacle. It means to settle down, dwell, not to be removed, rest in peace and security.
I John 4 brings us the good news of mutual abiding: “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God” (verse 15). The next verse reveals one way to know if we abide: “God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him” (verse 16).
2 John 2:2 says truth abides in us forever.
When we abide with God, there’s a mutual abiding with love and truth, since they are parts of who God is. Allowing God’s Word to abide in us is essential as we abide in Him.
This abiding is so rich with meaning. God abides with His people. First in the days of Israel’s tabernacle. Next as Emanuel, the “God with us” who was born on Earth as God-man, died, rose and rescued us. And today, abiding is the open invitation for us to constantly dwell with Him and He with us. And when we do, we get to abide in His love and His truth.
Strength in Abiding
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible categorizes “abide” as an “active imperative verb” meaning to remain and reside. We don’t do this by being lazy but by actively choosing it.
The enduring aspect of the word is also brought out in Colossians 1:23, translated as the word “continue.” “If indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard…” It’s not just accepting the invitation to have a snack and take a nap on the couch. There is strength in abiding!
In Psalm 91:1, we learn it’s possible to dwell “in the shelter of the Most High” and “abide in the shadow of the Almighty.” This dwelling is strong, secure and sustaining.
In the book of John, the author says the Word of God abides in us, which is the thing that allows us to overcome (I John 2:14).
In contrast, it’s easy to abide in the cares of this world, the everyday things that capture our attention and invite us instead to dwell with them – worry, fear, selfishness, materialism, passions, amusements. Even though they repeatedly steal our attention, those dwellings are not built on love, truth or God’s Word. While we live in them, we cannot produce fruit.
Practicing Abiding
How do we abide? Abiding requires us to walk alongside Him. He lays out the path, and it’s a continual lifetime journey. We abide when we keep His commandments (John 15:10), when we “abide in His Word” (John 8:31) and when we “walk in the same way in which He walked” (I John 2:6). Jesus says abiding in His Word is an identifying mark of one who is His disciple (John 8:31).
At 1:55 p.m. in your own time zone, we invite you to practice abiding with us. We pray daily to acknowledge that we depend on Him. The fruit is not ours to produce. It is only possible through Him.
We can boldly accept this invitation. We are invited in to share His quarters, to lodge and live everyday life with Him.
In invitations like these, the person “staying” is a guest, the recipient of hospitality. Pause on that one truth. We are guests of GOD! Invited in, not only for a coffee or quick visit, but to live with Him in His dwelling filled with truth and love. This is not only far off in future eternity, but right now and every moment.
One way to call this to mind often is to join us for Project 155. At 1:55 p.m. daily, abide by coming to our Father in humble prayer – all love, truth, security and power is in Him.
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John 15:1-10 ESV– Read the full chapter here.
“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.“
