Jesus Prays

 

     Did you know Jesus prayed for you right before He was arrested and sentenced to the cross? He knew His time on earth was short and the 17^th chapter of John shares Jesus’ prayers; for Himself to be glorified, for His disciples to be protected and for all of those who would believe in Him. That’s us!

     Jesus knows what is to come. Before He prays, this is what He says to His disciples:

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

     Even then, knowing what was to come, He is offering comfort to His beloved followers. This God of ours humbled Himself to give everything up in human form to give us eternal life. He understands our worldly life, but He sees the finished work of the cross, and so He prays.

First, for Himself:

After Jesus said this, He looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You. For You granted Him authority over all people that He might give eternal life to all those You have given Him.  John 17:1-2

And for His disciples:

I 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

And for all believers:

My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that 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

     This prayer resonates with us more than 2,000 years later. There is something so beautiful and moving in this chapter. I encourage you to read through all of it. Soon, Jesus knows, He will be back in heaven and He is entrusting all of us into His Father’s hands while He is still in the world.

     Jesus prayed for you. He knows your trouble and your worries. Just as He looked upward towards heaven, He is waiting for you to look up and lock gazes with Him and become one with Him and the Father. He is asking you to believe.

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for Your followers who continue to spread Your message of truth. You prayed for us before the creation of the world. You prayed for us when you lived among us and You pray for us from the heavens. Thank You for Your word.

Amen