How's Your Prayer Life?

John 17:20-21 (NIV)  "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."

Chapter 17 reveals how Jesus prayed. We are told in many passages that Jesus went off to be alone.  Often he would get up in the morning long before anyone else, just to have a quiet time with God. He knew how important it was to get His day started by talking to God. The Father was waiting to hear from Him, just as He waits to hear from us.

This chapter is about prayer and the importance of praying.  If Jesus saw the need, and He is God, how much greater is our need for a time each day to talk to our Heavenly Father. This sounds trite, but that is because it is so simple. In this complicated world where babies are slaughtered before birth and children are gunned down in their classrooms, prayer sounds too easy.

When we read the whole chapter, we will notice that first Jesus prays for himself.  I have heard people say it is sinful to pray for ourselves.  Oh, I am so glad this isn't true, for that is what I pray often. It is when I pray for myself I find the strength to go one; I discover hope is still alive and there is a reason for my troubles.

Next Jesus prayed for His followers.  He asked God to protect them. "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. (John 17:11). He loved these people, the followers whom He groomed to tell the world about the things they experienced.

Lastly, Jesus prayed for those who would believe because they heard the true message.  He prayed that all may be one. He prayed this because of His desire to spend eternity with us. Prayer changes lives, prayer changes the world. 

Are you ready to change the world, to follow Jesus’ prayerful example? It will make a difference.  It is time we feel free ask each other, “How’s your prayer life?”

John 17:20-26