I want to share a simple thought with you this morning. My reading brought me to John 17, it’s the recorded prayer of Jesus in the garden. Here it is:
If Jesus hadn’t gone to the garden, He wouldn’t have been victorious at the cross.
Let that sink in as we read His prayer.
“When Jesus had said these things, He looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the time has come! Honor Your Son so Your Son may honor You. 2 You have given Him power over all men. He is to give life that lasts forever to all You have given to Him. 3 This is life that lasts forever. It is to know You, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ Whom You have sent. 4 I honored You on earth. I did the work You gave Me to do. 5 Now, Father, honor Me with the honor I had with You before the world was made.” John 17: 1-5 NLV
The time has come! In the book of Luke, we read that Jesus anguished in the garden. It was a time of prayer when Jesus laid down all His earthly motivation for self-preservation, giving of His life emotionally and spiritually to the Father so that in the coming hours He could live it out physically.
“I have made Your name known to the people You have given Me from the world. They were Yours but You gave them to Me. They have obeyed Your Word. 7 Now they know that everything You have given Me came from You. 8 I gave them the Word which You gave Me. They received it. They know I came from You and they believe You sent Me.
9 “I pray for them. I do not pray for the world. I pray for those You gave Me. They are Yours. 10 All that is Mine is Yours. All that is Yours is Mine. I have been honored through them. 11 I am no longer in the world. I am coming to You. But these are still in the world. Holy Father, keep those You have given to Me in the power of Your name. Then they will be one, even as We are One. 12 While I have been with them in the world, I have kept them in the power of Your name. I have kept watch over those You gave Me. Not one of them has been lost except the one who is going to be destroyed, which is the son of death. The Holy Writings said it would happen. 13 But now I come to You, Father. I say these things while I am in the world. In this way, My followers may have My joy in their hearts.
14 “I have given Your Word to My followers. The world hated them because they do not belong to the world, even as I do not belong to the world. 15 I do not ask You to take them out of the world. I ask You to keep them from the devil. 16 My followers do not belong to the world just as I do not belong to the world. 17 Make them holy for Yourself by the truth. Your Word is truth.” John 17:6-17 NLV
This prayer of Jesus’ was for our benefit. He had the resolve for what was to come but we, His followers, were on His heart.
“I do not pray for these followers only. I pray for those who will put their trust in Me through the teaching they have heard. 21 May they all be as one, Father, as You are in Me and I am in You. May they belong to Us. Then the world will believe that You sent Me. 22 I gave them the honor You gave Me that they may be one as We are One. 23 I am in them and You are in Me so they may be one and be made perfect. Then the world may know that You sent Me and that You love them as You love Me.
24 “Father, I want My followers You gave Me to be with Me where I am. Then they may see My shining-greatness which You gave Me because You loved Me before the world was made. 25 Holy Father, the world has not known You. I have known You. These have known You sent Me. 26 I have made Your name known to them and will make it known. So then the love You have for Me may be in them and I may be in them.” John17:20-26 NLV
I know this morning’s writing was longer than usual but I wanted you to see that Jesus has been our prayer warrior, our prayer partner, from the very beginning. He intercedes for us from heaven.
When you feel weak and discouraged, remember the one who prayed fervently for you. His prayers never go unanswered. He watches over you with loving care.