Submitted by Pastor Richard Boettner, Rock Port Baptist Church

For this week’s article I will summarize some teaching from Scripture that I will be sharing at the Rock Port Baptist Church for the next three weeks. In John 17 Jesus offers a prayer that can be summarized as a prayer for himself, his disciples, and all believers. He prays for his own glorification, asking to be reunited with the Father’s glory, and for his disciples’ protection and unity, emphasizing that they are not of the world but sent into it. He also prays for those who will believe in Him through their message.

1) Jesus prayed for himself. He prays for the glory of the Father to be seen through the Cross, and the entire process: death, burial, resurrection, appearances, and ascension to heaven. He also finds strength in knowing that His earthly ministry/work is finished. He envisions His work continuing through the disciples, and other believers, as well as eventually to all people of the earth.

2) Jesus prayed for His disciples. He wants them to know and continue in His teachings. He prays that they may be protected from evil. He prays that as they remain in this world, that they will not be of this world but sanctified/set apart by God’s truth.

3) Jesus prayed for all believers. Finally, Jesus wonderfully prays for you and for me, as he prays for “those who believe in me through their word.” If you are a believer He knows you and wants you to live in unity with other believers. He prays that God’s love will be in us so that others will continue to believe.

In examining this Scripture please keep in mind that this was not just a one time prayer and then it was over. It is left open for us to fill in the gaps, keep the Lord’s prayer for us active and current, and then make the Lord’s Church what it needs to be today. We also have a High Priest who continues to live and intercede for us from heaven (Hebrews 7:25), and works on our behalf at any time, place, or situation. He cares about me on a personal level, that is inclusive of all my needs and longings.

I pray as we have shared this article together that you might also feel welcome to share any prayer experience from your life at this time. Please contact me at rpbaptistchurch@gmail.com with any questions or comments.