Fulfilling His Prayers

Fulfilling His Prayers

Read: John 17:6-12

“I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours.”

John 17:9

“If I could hear Christ praying for me . . . I would not fear a million enemies.”

—Robert Murray M’Cheyne

IN WORD Just as Jesus’ work was not scattershot, hoping to hit God’s target, neither are His prayers. There is a plan in action here. It isn’t that Jesus doesn’t care for the world— His familiar statement in John 3:16 would rule that out, as would verse 21 of this same prayer. Rather, He knows that the fate of the world is dependent on the faith of those who have followed Him. His sovereignty will accomplish His purposes, but in His sovereignty He designated simple human beings as His means for reaching the world. If they fail, the message He has entrusted to them is lost. If they falter, the spread of the gospel is limited or corrupted. The gospel mission of the Son of God is now dependent on the disciples He has called.

The situation has not changed. The gospel mission of the Son of God is still dependent on the disciples He has called. His kingdom is being built by His ministry through those who can envision it and who rely on Him. We are active participants in the mission of God.

For that reason, we can apply Jesus’ high priestly prayer to us. Just as He prayed specifically for the eleven who were with Him that final night, His strategic prayers are still targeted on us. The exalted Savior still makes intercession on our behalf at the throne of the Father (Hebrews 7:25). Our High Priest has not left us in this world alone with a message to tell and no support for telling it. He is not just a heavenly observer. He is an active participant in the work He initiated.

IN DEED If ever we feel weak or alone in the work to which God has called us, we can turn to John 17 and read Jesus’ prayer. It is a prayer for us, and the Son of God does not have unanswered prayers. His will is one with the Father’s, and His prayers are accomplished. Dwell on this encouraging thought: If you belong to the Father through faith in the Son, the Son is praying for you even now.