
Coria Brock
January 25, 2025
John 17:1, New International Version
“After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: ‘Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.’”
When we talk about prayer, especially how to pray, the very first Scripture that normally is mentioned is the Lord’s prayer found in Matthew 6:9-13. This is the prayer that Jesus taught His disciples when they asked Him this very same question. There are also many other verses which also mention prayer, such as pray without ceasing, pray according to God’s will, pray with faith… (1 Thessalonians 5:17, 1 John 5:14-15, Matthew 21:22) However, Jesus did not just speak of how to pray, He demonstrated.
Right before Jesus was arrested, He spent a good amount of time preparing His disciples. He spoke to them about how true hope must be built upon Him. He told them the peace He gives surpasses all their understanding. And He enhanced the love of God for them. He also prayed right there and then!
He looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.” (John 17:1, NLT) He first prayed for Himself, then He prayed for His disciples. Lastly, He prayed for all believers. (John 17)
Jesus prayed for Himself not because of the suffering that He is going to endure. He prayed for the work of the Father to be completed, and that His obedience could bring glory to the Father. (verse 1-5)
Furthermore, Jesus prayed not for fame, success, wealth, happiness, or a long life for His disciples. He prayed that they would have faith and trust, that they would know their identity in Him, that they would be protected and stay unified, and that they would stay in the hope, the promises, and the truth that He give them… (verse 6-19)
Jesus then ended by praying for those who had not believed yet or have not heard about Him. He said that He has not forsaken them. He prayed for them to come into the knowledge of Him. Knowing the Father and the Son, knowing they are loved, accepting His love, and being found. (verse 20-26)
If we are supposed to learn like Jesus, shouldn’t we follow the example He set before us? It is not about how to pray a good prayer, or how many people pray together in agreement. It is about the heart and the will of the Father, which is His purpose for us – His children. The purpose that He sent His Son for, the work that He sent Jesus to accomplish, and the calling that we have through Christ:
“The Lord … not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9, NIV)
Pray like Jesus!