JESUS’ PRAYER


John 17 is all about Jesus' prayers for His disciples and His people, for those who followed Him and believed in Him. Yet, Jesus prayed not only for His followers, but ". . . for them also which shall believe on me through [the disciples'] word" (verse 20).

What a powerful truth! Jesus' phrase, "them also which shall believe on me," includes you and me. Jesus was praying for us when He walked this earth in the flesh. Centuries ago we were on His mind. He even recorded this prayer in His Word, knowing we would be reading it. He wants us to know He was interceding for us to the Father.

Beloved, this prayer which Jesus prayed for us did not vanish into thin air. It has been burning on God's altar all this time and God has accepted His Son's prayer for each of us. Our salvation is the result of Jesus' prayers. We are in Him today because God answered His prayer for us.

"But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:24-25).

Right now Jesus is praying for transgressors who haven't yet turned to Him. Scripture says He can save to the uttermost — meaning "to the end of time" — all who will ever come to Him.

Throughout my years in ministry I have seen many drug addicts and alcoholics get gloriously saved. Each time I would think, "This one had to have a praying mother or interceding grandmother somewhere in the past. God is answering those holy warriors' prayers."

Now I see something better than that, something far more powerful and effective. It wasn't just a mother or grandparent who was praying for those who now believe. Jesus was praying for them all along. "I pray for them . . . also which shall believe on me through [the disciples'] word" (John 17:9, 20).

If you have been running from the Lord, you will never get away from His prayers. The Father answers His Son and all who resist Him are hardening their hearts to the prayers of Christ who prayed for them on earth, and is praying for them still.