Begin with two minutes of stillness and silence before God.
From the time she could string words together, my now sixteen-year-old daughter has always asked thought-provoking questions. At a young age, she accepted Jesus into her heart. Her exact words as we left church that day were, “It’s like my heart had a party.” I had reservations because there was so much she did not yet know or understand, but who could question that kind of faith? Later, the questions did come. Deep, perplexing questions that often left her dad and I both tripping over our words. But, those questions were good. They were fruitful. They opened the door to a journey for all three of us to learn more, to understand, and to find answers that have bolstered our belief.
In John 17, Jesus first prays for Himself, then His disciples, and then for us. It prompted a question in me - if Jesus is God, why did He need to pray? Even more so, why did He need to pray for Himself? We learn from the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6 that Jesus prayed to teach us how to pray, but what about those times when His prayers were private, like when He went into the Garden of Gethsemane in Matthew 26? Jesus did not only pray to show us how; Jesus prayed because He needed to pray. Jesus prayed because it was essential. Just as bread and water are essential to our physical livelihood, prayer is essential to our spiritual sustenance. And, if Jesus, who is God, prayed to Himself, for Himself, and others, how much more should I? And… what can I learn from God’s own prayers?
I love words. They have meaning. They have power. Reading the words Jesus chose to pray, I noticed a pattern. Depending on your translation, the answer will be different, but go back and count how many times He used the words “that,” “so that,” or “in order that.” It’s a bunch. They don’t seem like important words until you look more closely and notice their placement. In almost each request Jesus made, those specific words followed. As Jesus prayed for Himself, He asked God to bring Him glory SO THAT the Son might glorify the Father. As Jesus prayed for His disciples, He asked for their protection SO THAT they might be one with God, have the full measure of joy, and be sanctified. As Jesus prayed for us (how cool is that?), He asked that we, too, be one with God - completely unified SO THAT the world will know! Those little words, “that,” “so that,” or “in order that,” reveal the purpose of the ask. His prayers had a purpose!
One of my favorite promises in Scripture is found just a few chapters earlier. John 14:13 says, “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” When we pray SO THAT the purposes of God might be fulfilled, SO THAT His name be glorified, and SO THAT the world will know - we are asking powerful prayers with a promise they will be answered.
Take two minutes to reflect in silence.
Reflection:
- Use the S.O.A.P. Method to study God’s Word.
- SCRIPTURE: What stands out to you in today’s passage?
- OBSERVATION: What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands, instructions, or promises?
- APPLICATION: How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you?
- PRAYER: Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.
The Way of Jesus: 7 Marks of Discipleship
As we begin a new series, we encourage you to lean into the 7 Marks of Discipleship each week. The 7 Marks of Discipleship provide a simple tool to help us identify areas where we are thriving in our calling and where we can grow. Check here each week for a new 7 Marks Challenge that will encourage you to follow Jesus closer every day.
