(John 17:20-22 NIV) “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one.”
This morning we continue our series entitled, “Re-Energizing Your Prayer Life,” by continuing to look to Jesus as our ultimate example where prayer is concerned. A good many believers consider the “Our Father” prayer “The Lord’s Prayer.” However, many of us, myself included, actually consider the prayer found in John chapter 17 to be “The Lord’s Prayer.” While the other provides a pattern for how to pray, this one is a documented actual prayer and as you read it, prayerfully and carefully, you get to see how powerful Jesus’ prayer life was. The intimacy found in this prayer, between Jesus and the Father, is remarkable. And guess what? While praying this prayer Jesus actually prayed for you. Yes, you!
What I have provided for you is just a snippet from the prayer. This snippet starts out with Jesus making mention of the fact that He was interceding for the apostles. But then Jesus makes it clear that He was also interceding for all of us who would come to believe in Him through the Gospel message the apostles would preach and then leave for us. So, in essence, we are included in this prayer. And while praying for us, Jesus said, “That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” In one sense you can read this to mean that Jesus was praying for unity in the Body of Christ. Jesus wanted us to be one, with one another, just like He was one with the Father. But Jesus goes on to pray, “May they also be in us.” The “us” here is a reference to the triune God. Jesus prayed that we would be in-God. And once again, in context, He was actually praying that we would be ONE in-God. Just like Jesus was one, completely in sync with the Father, He was praying that we would be one with God, completely in sync with His kingdom plans and purposes. Why? Jesus goes on to pray, “So that the world may believe that you have sent me.” The Father is glorified when we are united with Him and with one another. Satan loves division, especially in the Body of Christ. This is why prayer is so important. When we commune with the Father in prayer we are able to be one with Him and our relationship with Him helps us to be one with one another.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Prayer helps us to be in unity and harmony with God. I am convinced that prayer was a key to Jesus’ unity and synergy with the Father. Prayer can do the same for us. We can’t know what the Father wants us to do in any given day if we don’t ask Him. Prayer gives us both the opportunity and the vehicle through which we can receive divine guidance and develop our oneness with God.
2. Prayer helps us to be in unity and harmony with one another. The more our ‘vertical’ (relationship with God) is in order, the more our ‘horizontal’ (relationship with others) will be as well. When you pray earnestly in the morning and throughout the day it is hard to hold grudges.
3. When we are one with God and man God gets the glory. Jesus taught that all the documented law in scripture and all the teachings of the prophets could be summed up in these two things: loving God and loving man (Mat 22:37-40). When we are united with one another and with God, the Father is glorified, the church is edified, and hell is terrified!
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for helping me to mature and develop in You through prayer. The more I pray, the more my relationship with You is fostered and developed. My prayer life helps me be in sync with You and Your kingdom purposes for each day. And the more I am in sync with You, the more I will also be in sync and harmony with others. The closer I get to You, the harder it is for me to harbor bitterness, malice, hatred, and unforgiveness in my heart. My prayer life is helping me to love You and love others the way Jesus taught to. And when I do it – when I live in love with You and with man – You get the glory out of my life and living! Father, make us ONE, just as You and Jesus were ONE! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
