John 17 English Standard Version

The High Priestly Prayer

1 When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

As I said yesterday the bible has many examples of prayers and what better place to begin than that of our High Priest.

First note that He addresses the Father.

Secondly; note His directed prayer. “Glorify Me”. This prayer is directly connected to His mission. Jesus speaks to things that have already come into being, a foundation of truth is established.

His mission is restated, His focus is clear, His purpose is ever before Him in this prayer.

This prayer is given to John to record in order that all that are His might hear it throughout time from the 1st century church until today. We are included in “all whom you have given” and these words are to encourage all of us, and are stated for our benefit.

Next He defines what it means to have eternal life. If we did not know already, we know now.

Clarity is often found in prayer.

Hidden in verse 4 is a repeat of things said in other scripture. “If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father.” Verse 5 reveals a truth that was hidden from His disciples in those days. He appeared to them in His own glory and He prays that the Father’s Glory, a glory He had before He came to earth in the form of man would soon be seen as they are about to become One again in a glory man as yet had not seen.

The Son was about to become High and Lifted Up. His ascension was about to happen.

Directed prayer has a purpose that aligns itself with God’s will and does not deviate.

James 5:15-16 English Standard Version

15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.[a]

Footnotes

1. James 5:16 Or The effective prayer of a righteous person has great power

Some of the best moments I have had over the years were when others would come to me for prayer. It was humbling and the results sometimes were effective and we cannot ask more of our prayers, that some good comes from it.

Yesterday as I prayed some verses in Colossians spoke to me that great examples can be found in the scriptures about the essence of effective prayer. As I thought about what God would have me say about that, it occurred to me that our expectations are closely tied to the needs of others and our purpose for prayer is often to help others.

This morning the starting point is seen in James 5:16 where great power to be found in effectual prayer.

Now we can turn our minds to the words of our savior who taught us how to pray.

Matthew 6:9-13 English Standard Version

9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.[a]
10  Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
11  Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Footnotes

1. Matthew 6:9 Or Let your name be kept holy, or Let your name be treated with reverence

While there are 4 footnotes in this prayer I have included only the first footnote. Let us remember who we are talking to and treat Him with the respect He is due. That is a good starting point for any prayer. 

Perhaps the second point could be helpful to remember.

Directed prayer calls out to Father God. There is no example to be found in scripture where effectual prayer is directed to anyone else but the Father. Try to remember that this can be a sticking point for some who have been taught otherwise. Let humility direct wisdom.