JESUS’ PRAYER FOR US
“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in Me through their message. 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.
John 17:20-21 (NLT)
What a gift it is to know the words that Jesus prayed to the Father the night before He was crucified. Jesus knew the time was near when He would sacrifice His life for us, so the words He prayed to the Father must have been extra significant.
Interestingly, Jesus noted He was praying not only for the disciples who were physically with Him at the time, but for all who will EVER believe in Him. He was praying for you and me. He had all His followers on His mind. Wouldn’t it seem that whatever He prayed for us in that moment would be highly important?
He prayed for ONENESS—that we would be one, unified in love and purpose—not just earthly love but a unity like Jesus has with His Father—a oneness that doesn’t let go, that loves no matter what, a love that is centered in Jesus.
How could we ever have that type of oneness with others? In the last sentence, Jesus takes care of that— May they be in us. The only way for us to have oneness with each other is to know and depend on God. When Jesus is at the center, others become more important than ourselves. Our trust in Jesus is best expressed in our love for one another.
Jesus also indicates that our love for God and one another is the greatest evidence that God sent Jesus to bring people back to the Father. The validating factor supporting the truth of the message of Jesus’ forgiveness and love is our oneness, our love for one another.
APPLICATION: Ask God if there’s another Jesus-follower with whom you feel you have a damaged relationship. Ask God to show you a step He wants you to take to express or request forgiveness.
PRAYER: Father, thank You for loving me unconditionally and sending Jesus to die for me. Let me know the name of another believer I should encourage, apologize to, or talk with so we can be one. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?