John 17, 18, 19
Would you believe that in the moments before his arrest, that Jesus prayed? He prays for himself, his disciples and most importantly, for all believers. What Jesus does, is of such unselfish merit – it’s astounding. I still can’t grasp the fact that He knew his Father’s plan for him and yet rejoiced and prayed diligently. As I read chapter 17, I couldn’t help but feel inadequate for my lack of belief. As I read that in the hardest of times, Jesus completely surrendered himself into prayer, stirred a hardened part of my heart.
His prayer right before his arrest was such a moving plea to His father before He would join him.
3Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17:3
9I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. John 17:9
11I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name—the name you gave me—so that they may be one as we are one. John 17:11
15My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17Sanctify[a] them by the truth; your word is truth. John 17:15-17
20“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. John 17:20-21
23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 24“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 25“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. 26I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” John 17:23-26
Jesus prayed – and it shows me that I need to pray – for everything and in His name.
Lord, let me take this reading and apply it to my life. If anything, it has become apparent, how much I lacked in my faith. Let me take your accounts and your word to truly come and seek your name. I ask that I am able to fully and completely submit to your will. In your name I pray, Amen.
Nourished by His Word 