#BibleStudy Timeless Truths. Praying for Your Church (in this time of uncertainty). John 17
This Scripture is often titled "The High Priestly Prayer" or "Jesus Prays for His Disciples." Either way, the focus is on Jesus' expectations of His disciples throughout time, including you and me.
As the United States moves out of COVID-19 protocols and churches begin meeting on site again, what Jesus prays for is essential as Christian communities reboot across the USA and around the world.
17 Jesus said these things, then lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may also glorify you; 2 even as you gave him authority over all flesh, so he will give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ. 4 I glorified you on the earth. I have accomplished the work which you have given me to do. 5 Now, Father, glorify me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world existed. 6 I revealed your name to the people whom you have given me out of the world. They were yours, and you have given them to me. They have kept your word. 7 Now they have known that all things whatever you have given me are from you, 8 for the words which you have given me I have given to them, and they received them, and knew for sure that I came from you. They have believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I don’t pray for the world, but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All things that are mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11 I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them through your name which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are. 12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name. I have kept those whom you have given me. None of them is lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13 But now I come to you, and I say these things in the world, that they may have my joy made full in themselves. 14 I have given them your word. The world hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that you would take them from the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world even as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth. Psalm 119:142 18 As you sent me into the world, even so I have sent them into the world. 19 For their sakes, I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. 20 Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you sent me. 22 The glory which you have given me, I have given to them; that they may be one, even as we are one; 23 I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that you sent me and loved them, even as you loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me be with me where I am, that they may see my glory, which you have given me, for you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 Righteous Father, the world hasn’t known you, but I knew you; and these knew that you sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and will make it known; that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
Jesus' prayer contains five critical steps.
1. THAT YOU WOULD SENSE THE GLORY OF GOD (Verses 1, 4, 5, 22, 24)
Jesus prays often in the prayer that His followers would sense the true character of God… His glory.
Your church does not need more workers.
- Your church needs more true worshipers.
People are seeking more than friendship and fellowship.
- People are seeking God’s glory.
2. THAT YOU WOULD BE A PERSON OF THE WORD OF GOD (Verses 6, 7, 14, 17)
Jesus prays for knowledge of and obedience to God’s Word.
- You need to communicate the truths of God’s Word.
The more you are in the Word, the closer you are conformed to Christ.
3. THAT YOU WOULD BE UNITED IN THE LOVE OF GOD (Verses 11, 20, 21, 22)
Scripture does not talk about unanimity or uniformity, but rather unity.
- God does not squeeze out individuality.
- His Spirit brings unity.
4. THAT YOU WOULD BE ABOUT THE MISSION OF GOD. (Verses 2, 3, 4, 11, 23)
People need to know that Jesus is Savior.
- Your mission is to carry on and complete the work of Christ.
5. THAT YOU WOULD EXPERIENCE THE JOY OF GOD.(Verse 13)
The ultimate measure of Christ’s work in you is experiencing joy.
- Steps 1-4 lead to your joyous step 5.
How can you improve your prayer life?
Pray Powerfully
- By the power of the Holy Spirit.
- By the design of God.
Pray Continually
- Practice the presence of God.
The key: The present moment is sacred.
Pray Strategically
Pray purposefully.
- Everything you experience during your worship can give a prayerful direction.
- Make lists of government officials, physical needs, groups of needy people, fellow Christians, etc (ask them for requests).
- I update them as requests come in and prayers are answered.
Pray Geographically
- Use a globe to remind you to pray for Christians around the world.
- Pray while standing, sitting, or touching an artifact to help you recall prayer requests.
The world-wide COVID-19 pandemic changed the world.
As we emerge from isolation and the subsequent lack of community interaction, it’s critical that you as part of God’s church is part of the rebirth of God’s church.
Thanks to pastoral staff at Mission Church of the Nazarene for the primary teaching in this post.
SEO: New Testament, prayer, knowing God, COVID-19, serving
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