Posts Tagged ‘jesus prays’


Under Gods Command
Jesus Prays for Disciples

John 17:18-23 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctity 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, jus 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. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Jesus prayed for all who would follow him, including you and others you know. He prayed for unity, protection from the evil one, and sanctity. Knowing that Jesus prayed for us should give us confidence as we work for his kingdom.

Jesus great desire for his disciples was that they would become one. He wanted them unified as a powerful witness to the reality of God’s love. Are we helping to unify the body of Christ, the church? You can pray for other Christians, avoid gossip, build others up, and work together in humility. Give your time and money, exalt Christ and refuse to get sidetracked arguing over divisive matters.

Jesus prayed for unity among the believers based on the believers’ unity with him and the Father. Christians can know unity among themselves if they are living in union with God. For example, each branch living in union with the vine is united with all other branches doing the same.


Under Gods Command
Jesus Prays for Disciples

John 17:14-18 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 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.

The world hates Christians because Christians’ values differ from the worlds. Because Christ’s followers don’t cooperate with the world by joining in their sin, they are living accusations against the world’s immorality. The world follows Satan’s agenda, and Satan is the avowed enemy of Jesus and his people.

A flower of Christ becomes sanctified (set apart for sacred use, cleansed, and made holy) through believing and obeying the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12). He or she has already accepted forgiveness through Christ’s sacrificial death. But daily application of God’s Word has a purifying effect on our minds and hearts. Scripture points out sin, motivates us to confess, renews our relationship with Christ, and guides us back to the right path.

Jesus didn’t ask God to take believers out of the world but instead to use them in the world. Because Jesus sends us into the world, we should not try to escape from the world, nor should we avoid all relationships with non-Christians. We are called to be salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16), and we are to do the work that God sent us to do.


Under Gods Command
Jesus Prays for Disciples

John 17:11-13 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.

Jesus was asking that the disciples be united in harmony and love as the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are united-the strongest of all unions.

Judas was the “one doomed to destruction,” who was lost because he betrayed Jesus.

Joy is a common theme in Christ’s teachings-he wants us to be joyful. The key to immeasurable joy is living in intimate contact with Christ, the source of all joy. When we do, we will experience God’s special care and protection and see the victory God brings even when defeat seems certain.


Under Gods Command
Jesus Prays for Disciples

John 17:6-10 I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They know with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 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.

What did Jesus mean when he said “glory has come to me through them”? God’s glory is the revelation of his character and presence. The lives of Jesus disciples reveal his character, and he is present to the world through them. Does your life reveal Jesus character and presence?