John 17:1-26
Jesus' prayer in John 17:1-26 is such a beautiful example of genuine and heartfelt prayer for others. The more I read the more I realized (or maybe I should say remembered) that I need to be putting more than just my requests before the Lord. And believe me, that can happen pretty easily when things aren't going quite as I planned or my schedule is hectic or I've got a big project coming up or ... you get the picture.
What does Jesus' prayer reveal to us about the importance of praying for others? What from this prayer can we draw on and put into practice? Tami W.
P.S. After looking at seven different prayers and pray-ers this past week, did God show you anything new? Any "aha" or inspirational moments?
And another P.S. -- Happy Mother's Day everyone!
V.22: "The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one," grabbed me this time. Do I think I can even wear His robe of glory? But He says that as we become one with each other, we look more like Jesus. And yet we waste so many resources criticizing other Christians for some practical or doctrinal differences. No wonder that kind of activity shows itself so little attractive to Christ. Why is it we can't 'criticize' by showing more of the love AND GLORY of Jesus Christ in our behaviours to each other? And I am by no means referring to ecumenical 'oneness'. We can surely proclaim the glories of Jesus Christ without pointing so belligerently at other Christians! And that sort of teaching would be way more useful to the Holy Spirit than the acrimonious kind that often happens.
For the past week, we have been learning how to pray and one instance of how, not to pray. These lessons are so useful in our life of walking with Jesus. We have been blessed to receive this teaching and there may be so many of our relatives,friends or even co-workers that we can share this newly acquired knowledge with and we should.
Yesterday, a member of our church and my self visited a couple who recently got married just to talk with them and it was truly a blessing telling them about the importance of communicating with God daily so that they can walk the straight and narrow path as our Lord and Saviour leads the way. The young couple was so thankful for the visit and you could see the gleam and love in their eyes as we spoke about God's love for them and for the world. They seem to be very responsible and the young man has indicated that he is willing to donate books to the church's library and also to help in the library. I am placing them on my prayer list that God will continue to strengthen them especially in this fragile world where the economic situation in our country is not looking too good.
Apart from the fact that the Good Book teaches us to pray for others, all the prayers we have touched on in the past week except the prayer of the Pharisee and the Publican, are prayers on the behalf of others. James 5:16 says, "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" KJV. 1 Thessalonian 5:17 says, "Pray without ceasing". We cannot go wrong with prayer from the heart. We need to pray because God tells us to pray, Colossians 4:2 "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving". Pray yes for others, but always give God thanks and praise for His lovee and grace, His mercy, His compassion and His forgiveness.
What I draw from this prayer is the open declaration from Jesus that we are a part of Them. This prayer is so inclusive when Jesus says we are a part of the love between the Son and Father, we are granted unity with Them, and Their love is in us. It's a beautiful prayer about protecting us and arming ourselves with the truth of His Word. God the Father, Jesus and the Holy Spirit hold nothing back from us, we are special members on their Council and I'm thankful that we serve a Mighty King! This passage has reminded me that I must be transformed by the WORD and not the world.
My 'aha' pray-er was from Stephen. His love of the Lord is where I want to be and for him to ask God to forgive his enemies has stayed with me all week.
An aha moment. I think would be that a righteous man's prayers covers a multitude of sins. And as we pray for others those sins are covered and we give others a hand up so to speak. I've learned to through my keys devotional that cofessing daily our sins and moving away from them keeps us right with Christ and more able to pray for others. I certainly is a wonderful gift our Father has given us. Happy Mother's Day. Jan