I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those, you have given me, for they are yours. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 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. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled. “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them, I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified. “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. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. “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. “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I 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 17:9-26
What is the above passage saying? What does it teach us about Jesus? In verse 20, who is Jesus praying for? Does this matter? If so, why?
Before Jesus went to the cross, Jesus offered a prayer to the Father for us. Jesus chose not only to pray for His disciples that were there with Him but for those who would believe in Him in the generations to come. Hebrews 7:25 says, “Therefore, he can save completely those who come to God through him because he always lives to intercede for them.” Jesus is interceding for us.
Jesus prayed for you and me. Jesus followers’ prayed for one another. We are to be praying for one another. Are you praying daily for other believers? Samuel said he wouldn’t sin to fail to pray for the Israelites. Paul prayed for every church in the New Testament. If we are rightly related to each other, then we need to be praying for each other.
We can do many ministries; however, the most important one we can participate in is praying for one another. It is a privilege to be able to pray for one another. We need to humble ourselves and ask to be prayed for like Paul asked the churches in the New Testament. We need to ask the Holy Spirit for guidance in our prayers. When we do not pray for one another, we miss out on one of the greatest kingdom opportunities God has given us. Are you ready to start today and pray for one another!
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your love: your love, and the love of others. I pray that we all will have the heart to pray for one another. That we won’t miss the opportunity to do this ministry that is so important. You are a great God who loves His people; I pray we will reflect that well in your glory for you.
In Jesus Name
Amen
