Sep 16, 2022 Pursuing What Jesus Prayed – Words of Grace Blog – September 18, 2022
What Jesus asked the Father on our behalf becomes the pursuit of our lives in the world.
The High Priestly prayer of Jesus (John 17) was prayed in the hearing of the disciples. That’s because the prayer was to have an impact on both the Father and the disciples.
Jesus knew that only God the Father had the power to keep the disciples in his name and from the evil one. Only the Father could sanctify them in truth and make them one in him. That’s why he prayed.
Jesus trusted the Father and entrusted the disciples to his care. While on earth, Jesus watched over them and guarded them, keeping them from evil. When he left this earth by way of the cross, resurrection, and ascension, he prayed that the Father would do what he had done— keep them.
Jesus also wanted his disciples to hear his prayer, and to record it for the church to have throughout history. In this way, his prayer became a teaching designed to show us his will for us in the world.
When we hear Jesus pray, we are prompted by the Holy Spirit to join him in prayer and to partner with him in pursuit. In a sense, the prayer becomes a command, telling us what to pursue and do. Only God can grant the prayer. We are to obey the command.
What are we praying for and pursuing?
Jesus prayed that the Father would keep us in his name (verse 11). Let’s persevere in faith in God as he is revealed in Christ and the Scripture.
Jesus prayed that the Father would keep us from the evil one (verse 15). Let’s be watchful for the schemes of the devil and resist him with firm faith.
Jesus prayed that we would be sanctified in truth (verse 17). Let’s hold to the truth of Christ and give ourselves for his purposes in the world.
Jesus prayed that we would be one in him (verse 21). Let’s profess the one living and true God of the Bible and the Lordship of Jesus Christ over all.
As the Father grants these prayers, the world comes to know and believe that Jesus was sent by God to be the Savior (verses 21, 23). Let’s live in the world in such a way that we glorify Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God.
Prayer and pursuit go together. I am grateful to pray and pursue with you, the congregation called Grace Community Church.
See you Sunday.
-Scott