December 7, 2016
THE POWER OF PRAYER: JESUS' PRAYER!
John 17
Gigi Hornberger
Central Truth
Jesus prays for us! He prays that we would be as unified with each other as He is with His Father, and He promises to remain in us to empower us to pursue this oneness!
Key Verse | John 17:20–23
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” (John 17:20-23)
John 17
The High Priestly Prayer
1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
6 I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. 7 Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. 8 For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. 9 I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 1 17:15 Or from evil 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them 2 17:17 Greek Set them apart (for holy service to God) in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, 3 17:19 Or I sanctify myself; or I set myself apart (for holy service to God) that they also may be sanctified 4 17:19 Greek may be set apart (for holy service to God) in truth.
20 I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
Dive Deeper | John 17
When I am struggling, there is nothing that comforts me more than someone saying, “Let me pray for you right now.” Listening to someone plead with our Almighty God on my behalf often brings me to tears and is more strengthening, comforting, and empowering than anything else.
How much MORE strength, comfort, and power come with knowing that Jesus Himself prayed for me in John 17 and continues to pray for me every day (Hebrews 7:25)!
In this passage Jesus prays for protection, joy, and sanctification through the Word for those who believe, but He especially prays for unity. He prays that we would be as unified with each other as He is with the Father. He wants His people to love each other so extraordinarily that even in the midst of conflict, we would exhibit so much grace, kindness, and patience that the watching world would be convinced that Jesus really is God. Wow! The love and unity of believers is a powerful witness!
But what a task. Sometimes, people are so difficult! Here is the best news: Jesus doesn’t leave us on our own to fight the battle of our flesh as we try to relate to others in a way that brings Him glory. Jesus says that the Father’s love and glory, His holy character, will be in us even after Jesus has ascended to heaven, because He will remain in us through the Holy Spirit, our “Helper.”
I love this picture for believers today—Jesus kneeling before the Father in Heaven, praying that we would be sanctified, which is being increasingly set apart for His purposes. At the same time, the Holy Spirit is working on us from the inside giving us the strength we need to obey. He empowers us to do what He calls us to do!
In the midst of challenging relationships, instead of naturally responding in the impatience and selfishness of our flesh, let’s surrender and remember: We’ve been given all we need to respond in grace because of Jesus’ powerful prayers before the Father, as well as the enabling strength of His Holy Spirit!
Discussion Questions
1. In what relationship today would it be helpful to know that Jesus is praying for you?
2. Look deeply into your heart: In this situation, what is your go-to, natural, fleshly response? Can you find it described in Colossians 3:5-10 or James 3:14-16?
3. If you responded in the way that would bring the most glory to God, what would that look like? Read Galatians 5:22-23, Colossians 3:12-17, Philippians 2:3-5, and James 3:17-18.
4. The Lord promises us that He will give us the power needed to do what He has called us to do. Which of these promises (or others) is most helpful to strengthen you: Ephesians 3:20, Ephesians 1:18-20, 2 Corinthians 9:8, Romans 6:6-10, 2 Peter 1:3?