The Greatest Prayer Ever Prayed
In the final moments before he was arrested and condemned to die on the cross, Jesus prayed for you.
Most scholars would suggest that John documented Jesus praying this prayer in the upper room where they had eaten the Passover meal together and after he had finished giving his final instructions to his disciples.
Whether it was there or on the way to the Garden of Gethsemane, one thing is clear: John 17 is considered one of the greatest prayers recorded anywhere in Scripture and is one of the most sacred moments of Jesus recorded in the Gospels.
To think that we have the privilege of listening in on a private conversation between Jesus and his Father right before he would give his life as a ransom for many (watch the latest message to understand how God’s revealed wisdom conquers our self-deception).
Here are some thoughts on the greatest prayer ever prayed:
1) Jesus prayed to his Father, “The hour has come. Glorify me so I can give glory back to you” (John 17:1).
As Jesus anticipated his death, he knew his primary purpose was to obey the Father’s will. His level of love and humility gives us a glimpse of Jesus’s close relationship with his Father and his desire to bring him glory.
2) Jesus prayed to his Father, “And this is the way to have eternal life — to know you, the one true God” (John 17:2).
His next highest priority was that everyone would receive the gift of eternal life from knowing the one true God because he wanted everyone to know his Father.
3) Jesus prayed to his Father, “I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do” (John 17:4).
His work was to bring the kingdom of God on earth as it is in heaven. He invited all to repent of their sins, turn from their selfish ways, and follow him. Finishing the work brought glory and honor to his Father, showing his faithfulness.
4) Jesus prayed to his Father, “I have revealed you to the ones you gave me” (John 17:6).
He loved his disciples because he knew they belonged to his Father. “They were always yours,” he prayed. “And they have kept your word.”
5) Jesus prayed for his disciples, “Now protect them by the power of your name so they will be united just as we are.” John 17:11).
Jesus demonstrated his unity with the Father as an example for his disciples to follow. He knew he would leave this earth, so he prayed for their unity to be protected.
6) Jesus prayed for his disciples, “I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one” (John 17:15).
During his time on earth, Jesus protected his disciples, and not one was lost. Even though they would abandon him as he headed to the cross, he would never abandon them.
7) Jesus prayed for his disciples, “Make them holy by your truth. Teach them your word which is truth” (John 17:17).
Holy does not mean perfect. It means set apart. Jesus gave himself as a holy sacrifice on the cross so his disciples could be set apart by truth and set free to be sent into the world to continue his mission (learn how to fight for truth and freedom).
8) Jesus prayed for all who would believe, “I pray that they would be one, just as you and I are one” (John 17:21).
Jesus prayed for you.
Every time I read this, it overwhelms me that Jesus prayed for me.
His prayer was that his followers would be one. He also gave us an example of how to be one. Striving for unity apart from the Father and the Son will never work.
Just like the Father and the Son are one, all believers must be one in him.
9) Jesus prayed for all who would believe, “May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me” (John 17:23).
Perfect unity does not mean flawless. It implies unity is being perfected. The primary way to perfect anything is by practice.
Jesus prays that his followers would experience complete unity, which is only possible by practicing what Jesus taught. He simplified his teaching to one command: love one another as he loved us.
“Your love for one another,” Jesus said. “Will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:34).
10) Jesus prayed for all who would believe, “Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am” (John 17:24).
Imagine Jesus — about to be betrayed by Judas in the garden of Eden, denied by Peter that he never knew him, rejected by the religious leaders, and condemned to die by Pilate, the Roman governor. And while he was about to face the greatest sacrifice on the cross, John recorded one of the most sacred moments we will never forget:
Jesus prayed to the Father that you would be with him.