The Essential JesusSample

A Defining Prayer

PRAY: Ask God for both a greater knowledge and a deeper experience of Him as you spend time in His Word.

READ: John 17:1-26

REFLECT: Wouldn't you like to know what famous people prayed before their defining moment in history? For example, what did George Washington pray as he endured the long winters at Valley Forge? What did William Wilberforce pray before introducing a bill for the abolition of the slave trade in the British Parliament? What did Mother Teresa pray before starting the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta? In John 17:1-26, we read what Jesus prayed just prior to the most significant event of His life: death on the cross.

Jesus had just given His anxious disciples their final instructions (John 13--16). He finished the session with the long prayer of John 17, which is often referred to as Jesus' "high priestly prayer" because in it He interceded for His disciples and all believers. Jesus begins, however, by praying for Himself (vv. 1-5). He recognizes that "the time has come" (v. 1) for Him to complete His God-given mission. For Jesus, that meant reestablishing a way for humankind to know God and have eternal life (vv. 2-3). Our God-given mission might mean any number of things, but the point is whenever we follow God's call for our lives, we bring Him glory.

Jesus then prays for His disciples (vv. 6-19) and asks for three things. First, they'll need God's protection (vv. 11, 15). Anyone who attempts to follow Jesus will face attacks from the evil one, that is, the devil. Second, He prays that the disciples would have "My joy" (v. 13). He's not talking about a happy feeling. He's talking about the deep satisfaction that comes from being one with Jesus and part of what He's doing in the world. That gives us significance and reason to rejoice. Finally, He prays that they be sanctified (v. 19), that is, set apart or made holy, by the word of God, which is why Bible reading and prayer make such a powerful combination.

Jesus finishes by praying for everyone who would believe in Him as a result of the disciples' message (vv. 20-26), and that includes you and me. His main request is for unity. Even though the institutional church has become divided and weakened over the centuries, the universal church is still one body. "That all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You" (v. 21). Incredible, but that's what happens when we truly believe in Jesus.

APPLY: How could you promote greater unity among the followers of Jesus you know?

PRAY: Spend some time talking to God about any defining moment that looms on the horizon of your life.