John 17: The Light of Prayer that Changes the World
“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in Me through their message.” John 17:20 (NLT)
As you follow the Light through John, you find Jesus praying on many occasions. Did you know Jesus prayed for you in John 17? After His final instructions to His disciples in chapters 13 through 16 and just hours before His betrayal and arrest, we have this record of Jesus’ prayer. It is the longest recorded prayer of Jesus just before He faces the cross. Author and Pastor Warren Wiersbe said, “It is the greatest prayer ever prayed on earth and the greatest prayer recorded anywhere in Scripture. … and we must approach this chapter in a spirit of humility and worship. To think that we are privileged to listen in as God the Son converses with His Father just as He is about to give His life as a ransom for sinners!”
It only takes about 3 minutes to read Jesus’ prayer out loud. As you read it, notice the progression. First, Jesus prays for Himself in verses 1-5. Then He prays for His disciples that the Father would protect them and keep them safe from the evil one by the power of His name, fill them with His joy, and make them holy by His Word, which is truth in verses 6-19. Finally, He prays for you and me in verses 20-26!
“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in Me through their message.” John 17:20 (NLT)
If you are following the Light, that includes you! It was through the message of those disciples carried down through history that we have the Gospels and have believed in Christ. Think of it, you were on His mind when Jesus prayed that night! He prayed that we might be unified in Him, attracting a lost world to Christ and one day share His glory! As you read His prayer for you then, know that He is still praying for you today. In Hebrews 7:25 (NIV), the Bible says, “Therefore He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.”
As you read this prayer, notice how our unity as believers results from our identification with Christ. Just as the Father was in the Son, so Christ will be in us! This is life eternal! Eternal life is not a gift from God, eternal life is the gift of God! Jesus said, “Now this is eternal life: that they know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” John 17:3 (NIV)
To approach this chapter in a spirit of humility and prayer, you may want to light a candle before reading or listening to John 17 being read to you. Then examine your heart to see if your life is promoting that unity with other Christ followers for which Jesus prayed. If there’s been division, this would be a good time to be the answer to Jesus’ prayer and seek forgiveness and reconciliation. There is tremendous power in unity when the Church is one body in Christ! It can change the world!