PRAYING THE HEART OF JESUS (1)

“I DO NOT PRAY FOR THESE ALONE, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word” – John 17:20

John 17 is one of the unique parts of the Gospels that enlighten Believers on PRAYING the HEART of JESUS: “I DO NOT PRAY FOR THESE ALONE, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word” (Jh.17:20). Not only did the Master present us with the Matthew and Luke Models of what to pray for, John devoted an entire chapter to the Son’s Prayer Session with His Father! Shortly before Gethsemane, the Lord Jesus engaged in three sets of prayers, namely: For Himself – for God the Father to glorify the Son and be glorified in His Son (vv.1-5); for His disciples (vv.6-19); and for all believers in all generations (vv.20-26).

These prayers are often collectively referred to as Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer or the Great Intercessory Prayer because He prayed as a Mediator and in a priestly way: “Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Prist who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb.4:14-16). 1 John 2:1 refers to our “Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.”

Transcending the boundaries of a single theme, this conversational communication with the Father touched on the themes of: His glorification, eternal life, obedience, glorification of the Father, revelation of God, choosing the disciples out of the world, unity modeled on the Father and Son, and the believers’ final destiny in the Presence of the Father and the Son! The High Priestly Prayer began on the note of Glory – “Glorify Your Son” (v.1) – and was interwoven with Glory throughout (vv.4,5,10,22, and 24). It was the glory of the Son’s obedience and the Father’s divuen love that brought redemption to humanity, but at a staggering cost – the Cross! Near the end of this prayer, Jesus asked the Father, that His disciples might glimpse Him in His true, pre-existent Glory (v.24).

God loves the whole world (Jh.3:16). Jesus died for the sins of the whole world (Jh.1:19; 4:42; 1 Jh. 2:2). He came as Light to the world (Jh.3:19; 9:5; 12:46; 17:21). He came to give life to the world (Jh. 6:33, 51), and to save the world (Jh.12:47). But first, the Lord prayed for the band of disciples whom the Father had given Him, the first recruits in what will become a mighty Army of the Redeemed. He was not selfish or possessive of those the Father had given Him, yet related to them differently than to the world. He prayed for their protection, safety, unity, and preservation as He was about to physically depart from the world (v.11-15). He had vowed: “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand” (Jh.10:28). Then, He prayed that they be sanctified or set apart by the Truth for holy or sacred use (vv.17-19).

Finally, Jesus’ prayer focus shifted from His disciples to all believers that would be brought to faith in Him; who are in the world, but not of the world (v.16). His declared: “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one” (vv.20-22).

Beloved, have you believed in Jesus through His Word? If Yes, He has prayed for you, incorporated you into His eternal Family, and decorated your destiny with glory! Now, arise and begin to shine the light of His Glory from your own Altar of Prayer and the Word!