Studies on Prayer: Vol. 3Sample

Praying Like Jesus

Knowing He would be arrested that evening and crucified the next day, Jesus’ prayer in John 17 is offered to God for His disciples in the Upper Room. He prepared them for His death and resurrection (John 13–16). The setting of the prayer is often given more attention than the content.

In Jesus’ words, the prayer describes His relationship with His Father and the future relationship He wants His disciples to have with God and with Him. Theologian C.H. Spurgeon said, “If you want that splendid power in prayer, you must remain in loving, living, lasting, conscious, practical, abiding union with the Lord Jesus Christ.” Our relationship with Jesus should be like the relationship He has with God. That personal relationship is revealed in His prayer.

1. How is a person sanctified (John 17:17–19)? How do we pray for sanctification?

2. How did Jesus pray for believers today (John 17:20–21)? What does His request mean to our prayer lives and public witness?

3. How does the prayer of Jesus shape or redefine your ideas about prayer? In what ways will you try to pray more like Jesus?

“Go where your best prayers take you.” Frederick Buechner