In Live Like Jesus, Sonlife’s founder, Dann Spader, does an excellent job diving deep into the rich truth to be found in Jesus’ prayer for the disciples in John 17. In this study, Dann uncovers seven disciplines of a disciple-maker, all revealed in Jesus’ words as He prayed for His followers.
“After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.” John 17:1 NIV
In my journaling through the Gospels this Summer, when I reached John 17, I wanted to read this prayer personally, intimately, not dissecting it as a study, but receiving it as my Lord’s Prayer for me. For ME! I want to invite you to read John 17 as Jesus’ prayer for YOU too!
“For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him.” John 17:2 NIV
Jesus, thank you for giving me eternal life. The real gift, I know, is not heaven. It is YOU! You don’t say that you are “the way” to heaven. You say you are “the way” to the Father.
“Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” John 17:3 NIV
Eternal life isn’t about a location. It’s about a relationship. It’s about “knowing.” Jesus, thank you for inviting me into this relationship.
“I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.” John 17:4-5 NIV
Jesus, thank you for being obedient to the Father. Thank you for completing the work. I want to see more of your glory as I participate in the work the Father gave you to complete. As I make disciples, your glory is manifested.
““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.” John 17:6 NIV
Jesus, thank you for revealing the Father to me. Growing in my knowing is deepening this relationship. Reveal more of the Father to me today.
“For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.” John 17:8 NIV
Jesus, thank you for giving me your Word, and your Spirit, to teach me about you. The gospel isn’t a message. It’s a person. YOU. The christian life isn’t merely a pathway and principles. It’s a person. YOU! You are my life. The christian life… is the Christ-life. You living your life through me by your Spirit.
“I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.” John 17:9 NIV
Jesus, thank you for praying for me. Continually. It’s a staggering thought that you are interceding for me before the Father right now.
“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.” John 17:11 NIV
Jesus, thank you for protecting me. I am protected by the power of your name. I need to remember the power of your name. It’s not a magic spell to be chanted. Your name represents your identity and your authority. At your name, demons must flee. And I am identified by your name. I am “in Christ.” I belong to Christ. I am indwelt by Christ, your Spirit. Your name represents your person, your person your presence, and your presence your power. There is power in the name of Jesus!!!
““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.” John 17:13 NIV
Jesus, thank you for giving your joy in full measure. Not some joy. Not a little joy. Not partial joy. No holding back. Joy in full measure. And what is that joy? It’s you, Jesus! YOU are my joy!!!
“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.” John 17:14 NIV
Jesus, I need to be reminded of this. I am “Not Of This World.” This is not my home. This is a temporary assignment. I can get too attached to the things of this world. I can get caught up in the temporary, obsessed with the trivial, losing sight of the eternal. Jesus, remind me today whose I am and where my home is.
“They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.” John 17:16 NIV
“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17 NIV
Jesus, thank you for the sanctifying work of your Word in my life. Your Word is a mirror. It shows me the truth about myself. Who I am. Who I’m re-created to be. Jesus, may I see more of you in me. Continue your sanctifying work.
““My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,” John 17:20 NIV
Jesus, you prayed for your disciples to make disciples. You’re praying for me to make disciples. You’re praying for me to “go and bear fruit,” to “go and preach the gospel,” to “go and make disciples.” Knowing you’re praying for this, that this is your heart’s desire, motivates me to do this if for no other reason than to please you. I love you. I want what matters to you to matter to me too.
“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—” John 17:22 NIV
Jesus, what is the glory the Father gave you that you have given me? I don’t want to miss this! Is the glory found in the relationship? Is it that simple? Is it the oneness, the intimacy, the fellowship, the presence?
Is the oneness you desire for us achieved as simply as this. The closer we draw to you in relationship, the more “oneness” we will experience with one another. Our oneness isn’t a platitude. Our oneness is a person. YOU!
“I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” John 17:23 NIV
Maybe the glory you speak of, Jesus, is about relationship. Intimacy. Experiencing the Father’s love.
““Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.” John 17:24 NIV
Maybe it is this simple, Jesus. Relationship. Don’t over-complicate it. To “be with” is to see your glory. “Be with” is the invitation to intimacy. It was why you selected the Twelve, to “be with” you.
“I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.”” John 17:26 NIV
Jesus, thank you for calling me into an intimate relationship with the Father. Thank you for making Him known to me. Thank you for loving me, and for filling me with your love. I am transformed by your love.
Jesus, I don’t need to seek the glory. I need to seek you. In you, I will see the glory.
Jesus, I don’t need to seek the truth. I need to seek you. You are the Truth.
Jesus, I don’t need to seek direction. I need to seek you. You are the Way.
Jesus, I don’t need to seek power. I need to seek you. You are my Strength.
Jesus, I don’t need to seek joy. I need to seek you. You are my Joy!
It’s all about you, Jesus!
It always has been. Always will be.
I want more of YOU!!!
This post originally appeared at: Jesus Prays…For Me! – Sonlife