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John 17 records Jesus’ longest prayer, given the night before his death. We don’t have time in two minutes to examine the entire prayer, but it contains three parts.
Verse 1 holds the beginning, ‘After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.” (NIV 1984) Jesus began his prayer by seeking what he needed to glorify God.
Next, he prayed for his apostles. In John 17:11 he said “Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name–the name you gave me–so that they may be one as we are one.” (NIV 1984) The following verses reveal Jesus requested spiritual protection from the evil one. A spiritual attack could destroy the apostles’ unity.
Then Jesus prayed for you, me and every follower of his. In John 17:20-21 he prayed, “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.” (NIV 1984) The reason we need unity is reveal two verses later, to let the world know Jesus was sent by God.
Today, pray God gives you what is needed to glorify him and to protect the unity of Christians so the world will know Jesus.
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Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.