One: Praying With Jesus That the World May BelieveSample

Unity is such a gift.

I remember how powerful the feeling was last year during our YMCA’s National Day of Prayer. We had believers from all sorts of different church backgrounds, but we were able to all pray for our city in unity because we were praying the heart of Jesus.

Have you ever wondered what was on Jesus’ heart just before being arrested? I mean, what must he have been feeling? What would anyone be thinking in the face of such suffering?

One of Jesus’ best friends—John—peels back the curtain inviting us into one of Jesus’ most intimate moments with his Father: an entire chapter of the Bible dedicated to recording Jesus’ personal prayer. Reading this prayer makes me want to “slip off my sandals” in reverence, knowing this is holy ground.

So, what does Jesus pray?

He begins by putting into practice how he taught his disciples to pray. As the Lord’s Prayer opens with “Our Father in Heaven,” Jesus starts his in John 17 focused on his relationship with his Father.

Praying this way reminds us of our identity as God’s beloved kids.

It’s from our identity and relationship with him that we can pray! Jesus continues by praying for his friends, asking the Father to protect them, make them holy, unify them, and teach them the truth.

Don’t miss this: Jesus is about to endure unthinkable pain and suffering, but he’s not thinking about himself. He’s praying for his friends. This brings us to today’s verse John 17:20, when Jesus’ prayer expands beyond his current horizon.

Watch this: Jesus prays for every single believer, ever. If you believe in Jesus—now or someday in the future—because of the gospel message found in Scripture, know that Jesus prayed for you.

Most people who come to faith can point to at least one person who prayed for their salvation long before they became a Christian. Well, friend, Jesus prayed for you, too.

So at the onset of this seven-day journey, let’s start by remembering: we can pray with Jesus for unity because he first prayed for us.

Father, thank you that we can be one with you as the Son is and that we can be unified with each other because it’s your heart for us. Amen.

[By Pastor Brian Menzie at Parkview Family YMCA ]