¹“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. ²He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. ³You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. ⁴Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. ⁵I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.⁷If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.

• Light a candle to remember Christ’s presence with you.
• Sit five to fifteen minutes in silent meditation paying attention to the deep breath.
• Allow the breath to reach every inch of you, the branch.
• What fruit is being produced in you?
• Is it the same harvest time after time?
• Or does Christ need to prune the branch for more fruit to grow?
• Is there part of the branch no longer producing fruit that needs to be removed?
• What new fruit will be made?
• What temptation creates a danger for your branch to wither?
• Turn away from this temptation and abide in Christ.
• Savor the fruit that is growing.
• Give thanks to God for this time in prayer and for any  new insights you have received.
• Share as you feel led in the reply box below.