A PRAYER FOR THE AGES

April 28

Bible Reading: John 17

John 17:24, “Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.”

How are we to make sense of this upside-down, topsy-turvy world we live in?  I’ve thought that they should begin each news program by playing the introduction from the Twilight Zone (remember that show from long ago).  Amidst all the confusion, it’s good to turn our attention to Jesus!  Do you want to know what’s in the heart of Jesus?  Do you want to know of his plan for the ages?  Then you’ve come to the right place in reading through this wonderful chapter!

In his devotional study on the Gospel of John, John G. Mitchell shares these thoughts regarding Jesus’ magnificent prayer, “Now He brings us right within the holiest of all, and we are permitted to sit down in the presence of God. We are allowed to sit there and witness this fellowship, this communion, this bond, this oneness, this equality between the Father and the Son. How much do we really know about coming within the veil of the holiest of all, and being perfectly at home in the presence of the Father and the Son? From the depths of the very heart of Jesus, this prayer invites us to listen in to the loftiest of all prayers. We are herein privileged to hear of God’s plan for the ages, whereby His glory is unveiled to all through His redemptive work.”

So, what do we find Jesus praying about?  Note the prayer is divided into three parts.  In the first five verses, Jesus prays for Himself.  Then in verses 6 through 19, Jesus prays for the apostles who were with Him.  In the remaining verses of the chapter, He prays for all His people throughout history.  There is a common theme running through the entire chapter.  In verse one, He prays, “glorify your Son that the Son may glorify You.”  In verse 10, He prays regarding His apostles, “I am glorified in them.”  And again, in verse 22, He prays over every believer throughout time, “The glory You have given me I have given to them.” 

Jesus came not just to save sinners, but that He might be glorified in their salvation.  In His prayer, Jesus prayed regarding the restoration of lost sinners to the fellowship and worship we were created for. All that He has done is unto His glory. 

It would be impossible for any of us to plumb the depths, or explore the vast reaches of this transcendent prayer, but there are several things we can focus on, things which instruct us in what we should pray about: 1) He prayed we would know Him. In fact, eternal life equates to knowing “the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom (He) has sent.” Nothing matters more than this. So, we pray to know Him better and for others to know Him, too. 2) He prayed we would grow in Him. Our sanctification is a recurrent theme in this prayer (John 17:16-19). As God’s children we are out of place in this world, having been set apart for Him. We’ve been called to holiness and more than anything else it is the truth of the Word that works to transform us. So, we pray to love the truth and walk in it. It is also through the pursuit of the truth that we preserve the unity He has established in His body and experience the “oneness” for which He prayed. 3) He prayed we would share the truth with others (John 17:18). And so, as we share the Gospel, we pray for ourselves, that others will come to know Him. 4) He prayed we would be where He is in order “to see (His) glory” (John 17:24). That’s our destiny, and our hearts yearn for the day when we shall be with Him. Our prayers should likewise be governed by this heavenward focus in the desire to see Him as He is (1 John 3:2). There is another main thought to consider. John MacArthur has commented on this: “He gives us the most magnificent example of our need for prayer. If the Son of God who controls all things, who is the ruler over all things, who is sovereign over all things, if the Son of God who knows all things, who has all power depends upon God to fulfill all His words, how much more are we dependent on God?”

If you want to know the heart of Jesus pay attention to how he prayed.

To God be the glory, great things he has done!
So loved he the world that he gave us his Son,
who yielded his life an atonement for sin,
and opened the life-gate that all may go in.
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear his voice!
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father through Jesus the Son
and give him the glory, great things he has done!

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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