This week's Gospel reading contains John's account of Jesus' final prayer before his arrest and crucifixion. The entirety of Jesus' prayer includes three distinct parts. First, Jesus glorifies God (17:1-5). Next, he prays for believers (17:6-19). Finally, he prays for the whole world and those who will come to believe (17:20-26). Jesus' prayer is a helpful model for intercessory prayer
today.
Intercessory prayer is the act of bringing the needs of the world before God. This includes the needs of the earth, other people and ourselves. For centuries, churches and Christians have included intercessory prayer in their corporate and private worship. Jesus reminds us that God hears our prayers and it is essential to pray for the needs of the world.
Jesus’ glorification of God reminds us that God is ultimately in
control and working to restore the world to its original purpose. As we pray for each other, we remember that God cares for God's creation and actively works for our well-being. We can and should do what we can to help this process, but it should bring us peace to know that the world's salvation does not rest on our shoulders.
Jesus' prayer for believers reminds us that human beings have been invited to partner with God in restoring God's Creation. Like Jesus, we
should pray for the protection of God's Church and people throughout the world as they work to continue Jesus' mission in the world.
Lastly, Jesus' prayer for the whole world and for those who will still come to believe reminds us to pray for all people and places. God's desire for a just and equitable world applies not only to Christian communities but to the entirety of humanity.
This prayer has been used for many
centuries by pastors, teachers and other Christian leaders as they pray for the needs of the world. It is a helpful model for us to use as well.
Are we still praying for the needs of the world around us? How can we use Jesus’ prayer in John 17 as a model for our intercessory prayers?
Reflections by Rev Joe Taylor
