It was one of the last things Jesus did when He was on this earth. He knew His time was coming (John 16), and in His last days and hours, through anguish and dread, did one of many things: He prayed.
Surprisingly, Jesus did not pray to be removed from His situation. He was to be betrayed by a close friend (Judas), tortured by the Roman guards, and crucified. But He did not ask God the Father to relieve Him of this misery; instead, He prayed for God the Father to glorify Him (John 17:1, 5); to protect and sanctify His disciples (John 17:11-15); to unify future believers (John 17:21-23), and to bring those future believers to where Jesus was (John 17:24).
In His darkest of moments, Jesus’ heart and mind was on finishing the Father’s work, on His Disciples, and on you and me. I find this to be extremely and profoundly precious. Jesus had more reason than anyone to focus with dread on what was going to happen; but His mind was on us.
This is not the only time Jesus has prayed for us. He told Peter that He had prayed for him as the enemy wanted to “sift [Peter] like wheat,” a request to severely test him (Luke 22:31-32). But more than this, Jesus is always sitting at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us (Romans 8:34). GOD THE SON IS PRAYING FOR US! We are always on His Heart and Mind, and He is always praying to the Father on our behalf.
Friends, we are Loved. More than we will ever know. May this quick reminder—that Jesus is not only on your side, but also praying for you as you navigate this difficult, difficult life, bring you Grace, Peace, and Rest. I pray we navigate this life with Him!
Let Us Pray
In light of how Jesus prays for us, let us also have the kind of hearts that are always speaking to God, both for ourselves and for others. Knowing that He is bending down in love to listen to our every word (Psalm 116:2), let us be encouraged to bring everything—from the “big” things to the smallest of things—to His feet.
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
(Hebrews 4:16, NIV)
Most of all, as we pray, may we always pray that His will would be done in our lives, just as Jesus Christ did. He knew and trusted that God the Father was in control, even through His pain, suffering, and even death. God is still in control today; and no matter what we face, whether it is blessedly good or evilly bad, we can trust that He and He alone sits on the throne.
Do you know Jesus?
Jesus did not go through unimaginable pain, anguish, and separation from the Father for nothing. He did these things because it was the only way to save mankind. This has not changed.
Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). Learn more about Jesus, and why He died on the cross, here.
Please pray for…
- For the salvation of all people.
- Those who are grieving right now. Please pray that Christ would draw them to Himself, and that He would comfort and strengthen them.
- For the Boko Haram insurgency to stop.
- For the Chibok Girls, and Leah Sharibu, to come home quickly.
Jesus hears us, friends. Thank you for your prayers!!!
ISAIAH 62 PRAYER MINISTRY 