The Savior’s Longest Prayer—part 2

The phrase “Mission Accomplished” has almost become synonymous with the opposite—with falsehood, incomplete missions, or unfinished work. “My mission is accomplished,” can be declared with absolute resolve by one—our Lord Jesus Christ.

As we continue to look at the long prayer, found in John 17:1-26, Jesus does speak of completing the work the Father had given him. In part one we examined the brief opening where Jesus prays for himself, which transitions into today’s portion where Jesus prays for his disciples.

“I have revealed your name to the people you gave me from the world. They were yours, you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you, because I have given them the words you gave me. They have received them and have known for certain that I came from you. They have believed that you sent me.

“I pray for them. I am not praying for the world but for those you have given me, because they are yours. Everything I have is yours, and everything you have is mine, and I am glorified in them. I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by your name that you have given me, so that they may be one as we are one. While I was with them, I was protecting them by your name that you have given me. I guarded them and not one of them is lost, except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture may be fulfilled. Now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy completed in them. I have given them your word. The world hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I am not praying that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. I sanctify myself for them, so that they also may be sanctified by the truth” (John 17:6-19, CSB).

I wrestled with this passage. Thinking, what can I share this is JESUS praying and it is obvious what he prays; to finding complexities that scholars can write pages about? Therefore, let me first encourage you to go deeper by immersing yourself in this prayer of our Lord. I am merely scratching the surface, highlighting four specific things I notice Jesus petitions of the Father, for his disciples.

1. Jesus petitions for the disciples to have continual unity like he and the Father—a unity of heart and mind.

2. Jesus petitions for the disciples to have his complete joy as he previously shared, “I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete” (John 15:11, CSB).

3. Jesus petitions for protection from the evil one. The evil one active in the world, where the disciples remain to do their work. Jesus also did his work in the world—a world that hated him.

4. Jesus petitions for the disciples to be sanctified through the truth of salvation, “If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31b-32, CSB).

I have gained some magnificent gems; despite there being so much more that can be extracted from this prayer. My prayers will be aligned with the Father’s plan and purpose as I emulate Jesus’ petitions. The Father desires that all people be set free by knowing the truth, be protected [rescued] from the evil one, have abundant joy because of their salvation, and be of one mind and heart.

Prayer
Father God, thank You for showing us how to align our prayers with Your plan and Kingdom purposes. Thank You for continual sanctification and renewal. Thank You for the freedom of salvation through the truth of Your word and Jesus’ finished work. Keep the family of believers unified through the presence of the Holy Spirit. Protect us from the schemes of the evil one so that our joy will be a testimony to Your greatness. We pray in name of Jesus. Amen.

Image Brooklyn Museum – The Lord’s Prayer (Le Pater Noster) – James Tissot. Public domain. Picryl.com
Scripture text added by Manette Kay.