I’m wondering today about words that inspire, encourage and empower. Phrases such as, “I love you”, “I appreciate your friendship”, “I’m proud of you”, “I’m thankful to have you in my life”, or maybe, “How can I help you?” Or perhaps, “Good job!” Or even, “How’s your heart?” These are just a few phrases that come to my mind, but what about you? What phrases might you add to this list? Before you continue reading, I invite you to pause for just a moment to ponder this.
Let’s venture on…
I think we would all agree that each of the phrases listed above, and I am confident any and all that you might have shared are uplifting. There is however, one particular phrase that I have not yet mentioned that I am convinced contains some of the most encouraging and life-giving words we can both receive and release, and it’s simply this, “I’m praying for you.” Included in this power-packed statement are many mega messages that include those of genuine care, agape love, true friendship, support, and compassion.
I am thankful to have people in my life that pray for me. The faithful prayers that others have and continue to offer on my behalf have made all the difference in my life, and for this I am truly grateful. Additionally, I pray for others as well, as I am fully convinced that God listens and responds to the prayers of His people. And while consistent and persistent prayers offered to God in Christ’s name are indeed powerful and effective, there is no greater, more compelling prayer than the one Jesus prayed to His Father on behalf of all believers.
On the night before Jesus’ crucifixion, He spent intimate time alone with his disciples preparing them for His departure from the world. After sharing the Passover meal together, the Teacher continued to instruct His students through the humble action of washing their feet; a demonstration of incredible love and a lesson in servitude. And the conclusion and truly grand finale of this momentous evening, was the authentic and heartfelt prayer that Jesus offered to His Father on behalf of His friends. This powerful prayer of intercession, also referred to as The High Priestly Prayer, is included in the gospel of John and is the longest recorded prayer of the New Testament.
As I’ve studied and read through this prayer, I find it worth noting that Jesus begins His dialog, simply by gazing upward and addressing God as Father. Without the need for formality or superficial ceremony, Jesus initiates authentic and intimate dialog with His Abba as was His regular practice. Jesus begins His prayer with the recognition that His hour has come, and He asks that He would be glorified, for the sole purpose of returning glory to God. In addition, He acknowledges He has been granted authority over all people and He further identifies Himself as the way to eternal life (see also John 14:6). Jesus then concludes this portion of His prayer by confidently declaring that He has faithfully completed his mission on earth by openly revealing the reality of the Father to His followers. And the remainder of this prayer is devoted solely to intercession for His friends.
On the onset, this prayer appears to be entirely exclusive.
““My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me….”
John 17:9 NLT
However, further reading reveals Jesus’ prayer to be simultaneously exclusive and inclusive as it includes all future disciples who will come to believe in Him.
“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.”
John 17:20 NLT
All is truly the critical word in this prayer, as it is offered on behalf of all disciples of Jesus in every generation. And this includes you, me, and all disciples who choose to follow Jesus in the future!
While there were obviously a plethora of valid needs Jesus could have chosen to include in His prayer of intercession, in His foresight and wisdom, He intentionally narrowed His requests to that which He deemed most critical. And as Jesus continued His appeal to His Father, He centered His prayer on three very specific concerns.
Protection in His Name
What’s in a name? If it’s the name of Jesus in question, the answer is absolutely everything. At the very mention of His name, demons tremble, winds are stilled, storms cease, the deaf hear, the blind see, the lame walk, and worshippers fall to their knees. Included in the matchless name of Jesus are eternal blessings and endless benefits including those of salvation, healing, comfort, counsel, peace and protection.
And so Jesus prayed,
“…Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are.”
John 17:11 NLT
Protection from the World
In order for the disciples to be effective ministers to the world, it would be necessary for them to remain in the world. Jesus does not request that his disciples be removed from the world, but rather that they be kept safe from evil while in the world. In the same manner that Jesus was empowered to live on the earth, holy and separated from the world by relying on the Truth of Holy Scripture, He now prayed the same would be true for his disciples.
“I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.”
John 17:15-17 NLT
Complete Unity
Jesus knew full well that once He had departed from the earth, his followers would face trials, persecution, and temptations, and the only way they would ever be able to stand strong would be to stand together. Jesus actually prayed that His followers would experience the same love, joy, and unity that He experienced in the Godhead! When Jesus prayed this portion of His prayer, it wasn’t intended primarily for the sake of positive relationships amongst the disciples, but for more significantly for the sake of the gospel and as a witness to the watching world.
Listen to these beautiful words Jesus prayed,
“I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.”
John 17:21-23 NLT
In Closing
As I finish this writing, I am reminded that immediately after Jesus finished praying this beautiful, empowering prayer, He was betrayed by a friend, arrested, and led away with a band of soldiers to what would be the beginning of his most grievous time on planet Earth. And knowing beforehand all that He would face, and face alone at that, He made His friends a top priority. He chose to spend His last evening of freedom investing in the lives of others; a beautiful illustration of the new commandment He had recently shared with his disciples. (See John 13:34.) I share this as it relates back to the topic of prayer with the realization that our personal comfort or current emotional status must never be the determining factor that dictates our prayer life. Praying for ourselves, for others and in thanks, repentance and confession to God, is not a matter of convenience rather a recognition of need. And Jesus, knowing our greatest needs, prayed to the Father on our behalf. He prayed that we would understand the protection that He has freely given to us in His Name. He prayed that we would stand strong in a world where evil runs rampant. He prayed that we would experience the power of unity in relationships, and that we would be one, just as He is one with The Father. Jesus prayed for me. He prayed for the people that I am praying will come to know Him. He prayed for all future disciples, and my friend, Jesus prayed for you.
God bless you my friends. I pray you are encouraged with the realization that the God of the Universe is praying for you!
“Righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
Jesus
John 17:25-26 NASB2020
I am so inspired by Carol’s writings and am so thankful that she shares her heart with others. She is becoming a friend that I treasure and is always interested in what is going on with me and how she can pray for me. I feel so blessed to have found a wonderful place of Christian fellowship and growth with the opportunity to meet so many devoted Christ followers, including Carol. May the Lord continue to bless your ministry.
Thank you for your most kind words Kathy! You are a source of encouragement to me and continually radiate joy! Thanks for being you. I am praying for your new journey as a Precept leader. I am praying for you and for the women that will be in your group. Be so blessed!