Do you know that Jesus prayed for you while he was still on earth?

In John 17, he prayed these words for his disciples, and also for those who would come to believe in him through their message. If you are a believer, that means you!

Here is a small sample of what he prayed: 

“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… I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them… My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one… Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth… 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” (verses 11, 13, 15, 17, 26).

Let me offer quick recap. Jesus prayed for your protection, for the unity of the church, for your joy, for your holiness, and for you to experience God’s love.

First, this should encourage you.

Second, if you are saying or doing things against the unity of God’s church, and if you are dismissive of holiness, truth and the love of God, then you are living and acting in a way that is contrary to the very prayers of Jesus.

As I read through John 17 I was both encouraged and challenged. Perhaps you will be too.

If you believe in Jesus, that prayer was for you.

Give thanks, and renew your desire to grow in the grace of God today.

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Notes:

–“My Captain, My Ship.” Sermon. September 11, 2022. Click here.