April 22
Bible Reading: John 17:1-5
John 17:1, “When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said…”
Too often, my prayers failed to ascend to the heights to which they should, and I’m reminded again of what it says in Romans 8:26, “For we do not know what to pray for as we ought.” Jesus’ prayer offers much encouragement and instruction regarding how and why we ought to pray.
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.”
John G. Mitchell
So, what do we find Jesus praying about? The prayer divides 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’ prayer serves not just as an example to us in how we should pray but also a reminder of our need to pray. John MacArthur comments 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?”
John MacArthur
What mattered to Jesus in His praying should matter to us in ours!
SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
that calls me from a world of care,
and bids me at my Father’s throne
make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
my soul has often found relief,
and oft escaped the tempter’s snare
by thy return, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
the joys I feel, the bliss I share
of those whose anxious spirits burn
with strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
where God my Savior shows his face,
and gladly take my station there,
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
thy wings shall my petition bear
to him whose truth and faithfulness
engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since he bids me seek his face,
believe his word, and trust his grace,
I’ll cast on him my every care,
and wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!
LookingtoJesus 