Lifetime Daily DevotionsSample

The Perfect Prayer

I do not ask in behalf of these alone,
but for those also who believe in Me through their word;
that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me,
and I in You, that they also may be in Us;
that the world may believe that You sent Me.
John 17:20-21

There are prerequisites for answered prayer. We know them. We incorporate them into our personal prayer life. Pastors will preach and teachers will teach that sometimes our prayers are hindered because of something we have done or have not done . . . a prerequisite that we have not met. And we don't really argue about this. We realize our imperfections and are constantly asking the Lord to search me and show me if there are things in my life that are disappointing to you and lead me in the right direction.

Well, there has been one perfect Person and we are confident that the Father heard His prayers and answered them--no prerequisites necessary. That Person is Jesus, of course. But did you know that He prayed for me? for you? for every person who would believe? I do not ask in behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word . . . There I am! There you are! Believers. And what did He petition the Father to do for us? To make us one with Him just as He was one with the Father.

That's Romans 8:28-29: "We know that in everything God works for good with those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son . . .." Becoming one with Jesus that we might become one with the Father.

God is busy about answering that prayer right now in my life and in your life. He isn't really asking our opinions or requesting our permission:

What is our plan on becoming one with my Son? or
Do you want to go through this time of stress now? or
Can you endure this situation at this time? or
Do you have a better idea?

No. He is directing His efforts to bring about the answer to His dear Sons prayer for you . . . and in the fullness of time we will understand and be amazed at His wisdom, His plan, and thrilled at our likeness to His Son.

Dear Father, please make this truth acceptable to us, not that we must fully understand, but that we will be willing to trust You fully to bring the prayer of Jesus to completeness in us.