Asking Jesus to Abide in me or Abide with me?

[MartinJordan]

I’m a bit embarrassed to ask but rather get a clearer understanding. Asking Jesus to have him abide in me or ask him to abide with me?

Is there are difference in such a prayer? Or is this just semantics? That either way is Holy and acceptable?

Let me explain, I pray to Jesus and always ask Him in all humility to have his heart and his grace to be filled in me. For example when I receive Holy Communion, I truly believe Jesus will reside in me so that I can be an instrument of his works of Grace.

Meanwhile, I heard some Christians pray that Jesus abides with them. That Jesus will always be close to them and he doesn’t forsake them. (atleast that’s what I think they are asking)

Which of these ways seems more akin to humility? Is there is a difference?

Thanks for reading and hope to get some pointers.

Godbless,
MJ

 

[david_patrick]

hi,maybe it is not so much an answer you seek, rather, please reflect why you ask it…
what i do if all gets a bit confusing with a fork in the road-(sometimes so to i ask the Lord-how do i pray?)My example, sometimes a struggle, i need intercessory prayers/or i need an intercessor-i recommend mother mary-as she will point to her son, jesus christ…likewise, the logic of your question may have deeper roots or deeper doubts; she will take care of that as she gives your intention to her son…well, other posts may mention the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist…perhaps, with their advice-a post may help/maybe an interior life of Christ begins with the Eucharist when all the puzzel pieces fall together (yet maybe your prayer life was never really fractured); i think your question may have context to God the Father and Jesus, somehow…

 

[PietroPaolo]

“Abide in” draws from the parable of the vine and the branches from John 15:

“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 bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it** abides in **the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not** abide in Me**, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

 

[JimG]

I think the true meaning of “abide in me” when it comes to Jesus means that he makes your soul his abode. He lives in you through the power of Sanctifying Grace. He may abide with you through prayer, but through Baptism and the sacraments he abides in you.

 

[MartinJordan]

I think the true meaning of “abide in me” when it comes to Jesus means that he makes your soul his abode. He lives in you through the power of Sanctifying Grace. He may abide with you through prayer, but through Baptism and the sacraments he abides in you.

Yes. Amen! Thank you.

There is a wonderful sense of comfort for me when I go through the Sacraments. I feel Jesus has heard my prayer. But I had to do the “work”, Jesus then does the rest. I feel more alive after going for confession, doing my penance, feel the new life again!

Or for instance receiving his Body and Blood through the Eucharist. I have the sense that I am following Jesus’ requirement to eat his Body and drink his Blood, otherwise I would have no life in me. I want life.

MJ

 

[MartinJordan]

“Abide in” draws from the parable of the vine and the branches from John 15:

“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 bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it** abides in **the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.

“I am the vine, you are the branches.** He who abides in Me**, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not** abide in Me**, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

I was thinking of this in particular. Appreciate the heads up!

Especially the parts I bolded above.

And I am reminded of John 6 : 68 b “You have the words of eternal life”! Thus I live through Christ who lives in me.

MJ

 

[Granum_Frumenti]

Asking Jesus to have him abide in me or ask him to abide with me?

Is there are difference in such a prayer? Or is this just semantics? That either way is Holy and acceptable?

I’d venture to say that both are acceptable.

Now, I don’t view the difference as being only “semantic” (and would also not say that they’re exactly the “same prayer”) because someone’s piety may go (or may already be going) in different directions based on the difference in imagery between the two.

In the main, though, both versions are fairly close. I did think of John 15 (cf. 's postPietroPaolo) and the possible distinction in 's postJimG).

I’m also posting to mention two other things that came to mind, both of which are now available in hymn form:

“Abide with Me” has been a popular hymn, and I wonder if just as someone may think of “abide in me” because of John 15, someone may think of “abide with me” because of this title.

The Lorica of St. Patrick (the “Breastplate”), at least in what versions I’ve seen, contains both “Christ with me” and “Christ in me” language. Here’s one place where both forms occur together, along with yet other “directions” and prepositions (such as “Christ before me, Christ behind me”). If you’re not familiar with it, EWTN has one version.