Jesus Prayed for You!

Jesus was trying to prepare his disciples for the fact that He would have to go away. Peter, in Luke 22:31-34, told Jesus he would follow Him and vigorously defend Him. Jesus let Peter know that it would not be long until Peter denied Him three times. He also told Peter that Satan had desired to have him (Peter) so that he (Satan) may sift him as wheat.

It was not one of Satan's cohorts, but Satan Himself. That would be a terrifying revelation. Would it not? Jesus then reassured Peter by saying that He had prayed for Him that "[his] faith would fail not."

Would you like to know that Jesus has prayed for you. He did! We are told about it in John 17:6-26.

Jesus started this prayer out by askig the Father to glorify His Son (Jesus, Himself) who gives eternal life. Then He states that eternal life is to know the Only True God and His Son, whom He has sent.

Jesus then prays for those the Father gave to Him. Who were they? The ones who believed on Him, even upon His name, are the same ones the Father gave to Jesus.

What were these individuals like? They kept His Word. They knew that everything given to Jesus is from the Father. They received the Words of Jesus, and they believed the Father sent Jesus.

What did Jesus pray for these individuals? He prayed: (1) that God would keep them, (2) that they may be one, (3) that they may have Jesus' joy fulfilled in themselves. (4) that God would keep them from the evil one, and (5) that God would sanctify them by His truth.

But what about us? When did Jesus pray for us? Right after that, Jesus said that he prayed not only for his followers during that time but also for those that would believe their words. That includes us.

What did Jesus pray for them who would believe in Him through the Word of those then present? (1) all of the above, (2) once again, unity among the believers, (3)that they would get glory, which He gives, (4) that they (we) may go to be with him (this, of course, happens at the death of his saints), (5) that they may behold His glory (again, in Heaven, this will surely happen), and (6)that the Love of the Father may be in them.

Satan may desire to have you. Take courage. Jesus has prayed for you.

What does this cause you to think about intercessory prayer?