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.