Key Scripture: John 17:20
"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message."
Introduction
Before being arrested and crucified, Jesus made one of the most powerful prayers in the Bible. In John 17, He prays:
- For Himself
- For His disciples
- And for all those who would still come to believe
This reveals something extraordinary:
Jesus prayed for us even before we existed.
He saw us… He thought of us… and He interceded for us.
1. Jesus Thought of Us Before Everything
Jesus did not limit His prayer only to the disciples who were there.
He clearly said He was praying for those who would still believe.
That includes you and me.
Even before we were born, before we knew God, Jesus was already interceding for our lives.
Reflection:
How often do we feel forgotten… yet the truth is, we have never been forgotten by God.
2. The Content of the Prayer: Unity
In John 17:21, Jesus prays:
"That all of them may be one…"
Jesus knew that unity would be one of the greatest challenges of the Church.
He did not pray for fame, wealth, or power…
He prayed for unity.
Application:
Today, we see many divisions:
- Between churches
- Between brothers and sisters
- Within families
But Jesus’ desire is that we be one.
Unity is a powerful testimony to the world.
3. Jesus Continues to Intercede for Us
The prayer in John 17 was not a one-time event.
The Bible shows us that Jesus continues to intercede for us.
Hebrews 7:25 says that He lives to intercede for us.
This means:
- When you are weak, Jesus is interceding
- When you don’t know how to pray, Jesus intercedes
- When you fall, He does not give up — He intercedes
What a wonderful assurance!
4. The Love Revealed in Intercession
Praying for someone is already an act of love…
Now imagine praying for people who don’t even exist yet.
This shows the depth of Jesus’ love.
He did not go to the cross only for those who were there…
But for all humanity, including us.
Romans 5:8:
"But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
5. Our Calling: Follow Jesus’ Example
If Jesus intercedes for us, we should also intercede for others.
- Pray for family
- Pray for friends
- Pray for those who do not yet know Christ
- Even pray for those who hurt us
Intercession makes us more like Jesus.
Conclusion
Jesus didn’t just die for you…
He prayed for you.
He thought of you.
And He continues to intercede for you.
You are not alone.
There is a Savior who is constantly presenting your life before the Father.
Call to Reflection
Today, remember:
- You are the object of Jesus’ prayer
- You are loved
- You are cared for
And also ask yourself:
Who have I been interceding for?
Closing Prayer
Lord my God,
Thank You because even before we existed, You were already thinking of us.
Thank You because Jesus interceded for our lives,
and even today continues to intercede before the Father.
Teach us to value this deep truth.
And help us to follow Jesus’ example by becoming intercessors as well.
Place in our hearts love for people,
and a sincere desire to pray for others.
May we live in unity, just as You desired.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
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