"I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."
-- John 17:20-26, ESV
God is sovereign, but one of the means of grace He uses to bring people to Christ, and keep people in Christ, is prayer. Great things happen when godly people pray. Just imagine how great it would be if God prayed for you Himself. He did! Finishing His ministry and facing the cross, Jesus took time to pray the most beautiful prayer, for you, me, and every person who would ever become a Christian.
Jesus Prayed for Believers. This third and final section of the Lord's prayer is for all who receive the apostolic preaching of the cross, trust in Christ alone for salvation, and live a life of obedience to the word of God given in the New Testament. This is what it means to "believe."
Jesus Prayed for Unity. The oneness of unity is a two-way street. True believers are one with Christ. This speaks of our personal relationship with God. We believe Jesus is who He says He is, we give Him control of our lives, and He is Lord. True believers are one with one another. This speaks of our corporate relationship with God's people, the church. Christianity is not a solo endeavor, it is a team sport. Christ is perfect, unlike the church, but to turn one's back on the church is to ignore the prayer and abandon the purpose of Christ.
Jesus Prayed for evangelism. Like the Lord's prayer for unity, the prayer for outreach is paved with at least two lanes. When I was in seminary, two evangelism classes were required: personal evangelism and church evangelism. Jesus prayed for our success in both, for how will people in the world believe if believers do not bring the gospel to the world? Personally, this looks like one person talking to another person about the most important person in his or her life. Corporately, when unbelievers venture into the gathered worship of the church, they should, in the words of Henry Blackaby, experience God. Lost people do not need to be entertained with pep bands and pep talks. They need to observe God's people speaking and listening to God, with reverence and awe.
Jesus Prayed for Peace. "Desire" is a strong word in any language, and as the Lord nears the end of His prayer He declares a longing for all believers "be with Me where I am, to see My glory." The doctrine of eternal security tells us that those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ on earth will spend eternity with Him in Heaven. Jesus has already promised Christians, in John's Gospel, that no one nor nothing can take us away from Him. Jesus' prayer, here, guarantees the same.
Jesus Prayed for Love. The last word in the Lord's prayer is love. He prayed specifically "that the love with which you have loved me may be in them." There are many ways to define love, but at its core is a willingness to do anything requested by or in promotion of the one you love. "Not My will buy Yours be done." That's love, agape love, sacrificial love, for God and God's people. Love is a good place to end the Lord's prayer, and begin anew our service for Him.
Chuck DeVane is the pastor of Lake Hamilton Baptist Church in Hot Springs. Call him at 501-525-8339 or email him at [email protected].