Recap
Title: Praying Like Jesus Prayed
Series: Discovering The Real Jesus
Key Text: John 17
Key Message:
As we continue our series on ‘Discovering the real Jesus’ we will arrive at John chapter 17, which looks at a prayer of Jesus. Interestingly, this prayer is the longest prayer recorded by Jesus. Through this prayer we see the heart and nature of Jesus. The prayer demonstrates Jesus’ relationship with his father and it also shows us that he intercedes for us.
As Christians we know that prayer is an important part of our walk with God. Martin Luther King Jr said “To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing”.
We cannot claim to be a Christian and not pray. Jesus Himself prayed a lot. He prayed when He needed to make important decisions. We have examples in the bible of Jesus praying alone and with his disciples, He prayed early in the morning and in the evening. He prayed often and with fervor.
In John 17, Jesus’ prayer is a different kind of prayer. It is a prayer of vision, faith, confidence and victory. This particular prayer was during a time when He faced his greatest and toughest mission. He knew that it would not be long before He would suffer and be crucified on the cross to pay the price of sin.
Jesus prayed for Himself (John 17:1, 5)
Jesus prayed for His disciples
He prayed for their protection (John 17:11; Romans 8:34)
He prayed for their joy (John 17:13; Hebrews 12:2)
He prayed for their development in holiness (John 17:17-19)
Jesus prayed for all believers (John 17:20, 11)
Apply
Jesus prayed for Himself.
It may seem selfish or self-centred to pray for yourself, however, John chapter 17 verses 1 & 5 helps us to understand Why Jesus prayed for Himself
Jesus is the only one who can ask God to give Him glory because He is the son of God and all authority has been given to Him. However, it is important to note that He doesn’t just ask for glory, He says give me glory, that I can give glory to you. In this, Jesus prayed that through Him, God would be glorified. We know that this is what indeed happened through his intense suffering. The glory of Jesus was displayed through his sacrifice on the cross and his resurrection. Jesus prays in everything and in every situation His Father will be glorified.
Real prayer should always be focussed on seeing God work out his good purposes in our life so that honour and glory goes to Him.
When you pray for yourself, what is your intention? Is it all about you being blessed? Is just about your personal needs? Or are you focussed on God blessing you so that you can bless God and others. The best way is to pray like Jesus, Lord, give to me, that I can give more to you. This can include our time, our finances, our resources etc.
Jesus prayed for his disciples
The main focus of the ministry of Jesus was to call and train His team of disciples. He knew that making disciples was the greatest way for his message and ministry to be continued.
He knew that the condition of his disciples was key to their success or failure and to the advance of the kingdom of God. He was well aware that they would face big trials and temptations that could make them or break them. This is why He made it such a priority to pray for his disciples and this is why all of us who are leaders of the flock of God need to pray for the disciples under our care.
He prayed for their protection
Jesus knew that his disciples would need spiritual cover in his absence. He knew that they needed protection from the evil one. Jesus prayed for his disciples then and He prays for us now. (John 17:11; Romans 8:34)
We need to pray that our disciples will be protected in their health, in their faith, finances in their family and in every area of their lives.
He prayed for their joy
Jesus was full of joy. Even when He faced the cross, He never lost his joy. (John 17:13; Hebrews 12:2). The Lord doesn’t rob us of joy but fills us with joy.
He prayed for their development in holiness
One of the great areas we need to focus, is for those we are training to always walk in the ways of the Lord. We need to pray that they will stay close to the Lord and constantly be freed from dirt and spiritual pollution. We must pray daily for our loved ones and for our disciples. (John 17:17-19)
Jesus prayed for all believers
This means He prayed for the church both locally and globally. Both in the present and in the future.
Jesus had a heart and a vision to see the multitudes come to believe in Him throughout all generations. He prayed for unity, not just for his disciples but for all future believers. (John 17:20)
Unity across the church is important if we are to win people to Christ. Jesus prayed for a unity like that which unites the Trinity – (John 17:11). This means that we all should be of same heart, mind and will.
Are you united with our church’s vision to grow and bless the nations? We have a vision for growth, for generational blessing in families and to see transformation in our world. As a church we must be united together so that others will see the truth and be believe in God. If we will commit to unity, we will see change in our lives, in our families and in our nation.
Do you commit your family, your leaders and your disciples to prayer? Pray for their protection and sanctification, that is to be set apart to do the will of God. Are you united in all things with one goal, to spread the good news of the gospel?
