Imagine hosting an ultra-special guest in your home, someone well-loved and well-known. One evening you pass the open door of his room and see him kneeling by the bed in prayer.
His words are barely audible but in that moment, you happen to hear your name.
Would you stop and listen, to see what this respected man considered important for you? I’m thinking you would.
Long ago, someone well-loved and well-known did pray for you and for me—Jesus—and at a most unexpected time, the night before his crucifixion.
Painting by Marcilio Soares
Think of it. Jesus–the most significant Person in all of history–prayed for you and me.
If I knew that tomorrow would be a day of horrific pain and then death, I’d be praying for strength and courage. But Jesus’ prayer centered on his disciples and then he said:
That’s us—the people down through the centuries who’ve heard the story of Jesus and believe in him as the Son of God.
Are you curious about what Jesus considered important? I’m thinking we should be.
What follows is a selection of those requests, the holy whispers Jesus presented to our Heavenly Father that night:
First, “keep them in your name” (John 17:11).
This is a prayer of protection, that we’d be preserved in the name of God, through his attributes at work for our benefit: his compassion to care for us, power to sustain, goodness to bless, wisdom to guide, and more.
Not that we won’t experience difficulty, but Jesus prayed we won’t be overcome by it.
Second, “possess the full measure of my joy within” (v. 13).
This is not the joy we experience in human relationships or happy events. This is the joy we experience in Christ alone, based on who he is and what he’s done as our Savior, Shepherd, Immanuel (God with us), and Light of life—to name a few of his titles.
These glorious realities can cause joy to well up in our hearts, even while troubles seethe around us. This is what Jesus desires for us.
Third, “protect them from the evil one” (v. 15).
Satan wants to take us out. He tirelessly works to increase our desire for harmful things. He’ll tell us it’s no big deal, offer excuses for the behavior, and minimize our ability to think through the consequences of sinful choices.
BUT! Jesus has prayed for our protection. We can fight against temptation with God’s Word, just as Jesus did, as well as exercise his power to fight. We also have the assurance God won’t allow any temptation that we can’t withstand [1].
Fourth, “sanctify them by the truth” (v. 17).
Jesus would have us consecrated to God, growing into his likeness through obedience, and becoming more intimate with him.
How? We begin by spending time in His Word. That’s how we come to know him.
To truly know him is to love him, and to truly love him is to want to please him by obedience.
Many believe following God’s ways will lead to dissatisfaction in life, but in reality obedience leads to peace, joy, and contentment [2].
These are the qualities of life Jesus desires for us.
Fifth, “be with me and see my glory” (v. 24).
I’m reminded of Christmastime, when empty-nesters such as Steve and me look forward to the full gathering of family, to share in the glories of the season together.
Similarly, Jesus looks forward to the day when we’ll all be together with our Heavenly Father, to share in his celestial glory!
Study further this prayer of Jesus and discover more concerns that he addressed, and then understand: this was not a single prayer offered once for all time.
He is still praying for us continually [3]—holy whispers of love and compassion, with a desire that we experience his best.
Soak in the wonder of such a reality.
P.S. Another quality Jesus prayed we’d experience? Unity. See Jesus’ Prayer for You for a meditation on that topic.
[1] Luke 4:1-13; 2 Peter 1:3 NASB; 1 Corinthians 10:13
[2] Job 22:21; John 15:10-11; Psalm 119:35
[3] Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1
Art & photo credits: http://www.rawpixel.com; http://www.commons.wikimedia.org (Marcilio Soares); http://www.commons wikimedia.org; http://www.dailyversers.net (2); http://www.canva.com; http://www.publicdomainpictures.net (George Hodan).
Thank you for reminding us of our Savior’s prayers. It is amazing, that He cares for us and is always interceding.
Have a blessed evening, Nancy.
It seems impossible, doesn’t it? What a gracious Savior he is!
An absolutely beautiful reminder of Jesus’ continual hope and prayers for us. I felt a sense of calm the moment I read your words.
Blessings!
Thank you, Martha. Praise God these words brought a sense of calm to your spirit. We’d do well to review often this prayer of Jesus, to keep ourselves encouraged!
Nancy, each time I read John 17, I am amazed and humbled by Jesus’ prayers for His followers. Both that He prayed for us—across generations on what could have been the most difficult night of His life—and that He still prays for us. It’s humbling. He prayed so specifically. Thanks for bringing me to these verses today!
Amen to your thoughts, Jeanne. It IS humbling to see Christ’s depth of love for us in this intimate garden-scene, and then realize his intercession for us is ongoing every moment. Words cannot express a heart’s wonder and gratitude!
I have been thinking so much about when Jesus told Peter that satan desired to have him that he might sift him as wheat but He had prayed for him that his faith would not fail. That is the case with every one of us, no doubt. How thankful I am that Jesus didn’t only pray for us during His prayer in John 17, but He is interceding for us now. It reminds me of the song, “He is Ever Interceding.” Praise His holy name.
Praise God we have an Advocate who prays that our faith will not fail! Amen to that, Cheryl. I didn’t know that song you mentioned–had to find a YouTube video so I could hear it! Such a precious comfort to know that Christ is [always!] interceding to the Father for his children. Thank you, Cheryl!
Once again you have caused me to stop and praise God for Jesus. I am always inspired your insights, which sends me the scriptures to search for more nuggets of inspiration.
Thank you Anita for your encouragement. I too love searching the scriptures for nuggets of inspiration. In fact, the research step in the process of writing is my favorite. The joy of discovery never grows old!
Nancy, oh how amazing that our Savior, knowing what was ahead, would pray such deeply eloquent requests on our behalf to His Father. would that we could pray even a minutia like that for those we love.
Amen to that, Linda! I can imagine Jesus praying with depth of feeling too, which further warms my heart. This prayer offers an inspiring example for our prayers on behalf of others!
I am not consistent regarding when I read your weekly blog. The Lord seems to lead me to access it when I need it the most. Today I have been especially agitated. I spend too much time on current events over which I have no control other than to pray. It seems like we are living in Noah’s world before the great flood. (Sometimes it seems even worse due to the invention of the internet where man’s evil ways and hatred for God travels at warp speed.) Today (as another reader posted) I felt a sense of calm as you reminded us that He prays for us continually. He is so patient with me and my furrowed brow and worrisome attitude. While I yearn for the Rapture I understand that He tarries so that more people will come to accept Him as their Savior. (I pray that I am effective as I try to share the Gospel whenever I can.) And to know that Jesus looks forward spending eternity with even me? Wow! Just wow!
Amen to “Wow! Just wow!” I think you just showed us how to turn worry (for which we certainly have plenty of material) into “Wows” of worship! Thank you, Cheri! With you I look forward to Jesus’ return AND for many more to enter his kingdom before he does!
Nancy, I love how you pointed out five holy whispers from John 17. What a glorious feeling to know and share His love and to be inspired to immerse ourselves deeper into faith.
SO true, Nancy. His prayer does cause encouragement and inspiration to well up in hearts!
wow you really brought this alive.
Thank you, Jean. Praise God for his inspiration throughout the process!
It’s amazing that Jesus prayed for us. And it is comforting to know this. His love for us is far beyond anything we can even imagine. Thanks Nancy.
Amen to each of your statements, Dawn–and you’re welcome! As always I praise God for his guidance and inspiration.
In my devotions today the Lord led me to John 17:20 again! “But the prayer was not just for them, because later He said, ‘Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word’ (John 17:20).” I feel so blessed and connected to the Lord when this happens. And it tells me that I am supposed to really pay attention to the fact that He included us who were yet to be born in His prayers.
LOVE it! Wonderful, intentional encouragement from your Heavenly Father, Cheri!
This is beautiful! Thank you for putting this together, Nancy. Your posts are always well thought out and full of encouragement. And this one was especially moving. 🤍
Thank you Bridget for your encouragement. Praise God you found this post especially moving! And of course that warms my heart.
It is a wonder to me that Jesus’s prayers on my behalf are made because he knows me better than I know myself. He understands my particular shortcomings, and the things that tempt me perhaps more than the next person. It is humbling to think he is praying for my protection before I ever need it, and knows I will need it.
The 1 Corinthians passage you included is so heartening: “… But when you are tempted, he will provide a way out, so that you can endure it”.
You’re right, Dave–we could hope for no better Advocate than our Lord Jesus! It’s humbling to know he cares so much.
Feeling so loved by Jesus after reading this, Nancy.
And that warms MY heart, Mary!
Beautiful teaching in your post, Nancy!
Couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve read John 17:20 and missed the “awe” factor in those words! (That’s why God’s word never gets old, there’s always something new that stands out)!!
I’ll be jotting down some of your post in my little blog-reading journal! Good stuff to marinate on!!
I too love the way familiar scriptures can offer up new discoveries! And I’m so glad you found some “good stuff to marinate on,” Alicia. As always, I praise God for his inspiration behind each post.
To better grasp the grace and wonder of how our Savior prays for us and has prayed continually for us is such a gift This was a great reminder of how much His love follows us constantly–He’s always praying for us, interceding for us. Thanks for this, Nancy. I needed it today.
I’m so glad you found this post meaningful, Dayle. It IS an incredible reality that the Lord of the universe would pray for us!
Thank you so much for this post! It is so very uplifting to focus on these prayers of Jesus. I love the quote above about Heaven…so beautiful!
I love that quote, too. It is not out of pity he offers us eternal life in heaven, although he surely pities us at times. But scriptures like Galatians 2:20 make clear: he died for us and made heaven possible because he loved us. Such glorious news!
Awesome thought that Jesus prayed for me.
Agreed, Barb–it’s almost beyond comprehension!
Just pausing to read this blog of yours that I saved and am so thankful for your words. So thankful for the reality that Jesus loves His children enough to pray for us. It’s hard to fathom that kind of love and personal care from the God of the universe! Thank you, Nancy!
I agree–it’s very hard to fathom that kind of love from the perfect and all-powerful King of the universe. My prayer in return: “Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee!” (Are you familiar with that old hymn too?) I know you feel the same, Patty.
So often we wonder who’s praying for us. A beautiful reminder that Christ prayed and still stands in the gap for me today. Comforting indeed…
Thank you, RH. I agree with you 100%–Jesus’ prayerful support of us is GREATLY comforting! And thank you for adding to the conversation the imagery of Christ standing in the gap for us. Praise God he fights for us and with us!