Daily Devotional – Day 12

“Jesus Prays For You”

Read: John 17:9-10

“I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. All I have  is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them (John 17:9-10).”

Most of us know that prayer is us talking to God.  It is great to know we can pray at anytime and anywhere to God.  Also having someone pray for us brings a great confidence as well.  But did you know that Jesus prays to God for us?  Talk about powerful prayer!  Hebrews 7:25 says, “He always lives to make intercession for us.”  This is present tense talk – Jesus didn’t just pray for us once upon a time – He continually does it today!  But wait, there’s more.  Romans 8:26-27 also tell us that the Holy Spirit prays for us:  “In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”  Jesus and the Holy Spirit pray for me?  That’s almost too much to comprehend.  How amazing is that!

Intercession means “to intervene or plead on someone’s behalf.”  Jesus prays for us before the throne of God because we truly cannot represent ourselves.  Sin separates us from God (Romans 3:23).  When we pray, Jesus hears us and prays for us.  Jesus is able to do this because He died for our sins and was sinless.  Romans 8:34 tells us “Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us”.  I believe Jesus forgives our sins when we pray (1 John 1:9; 1 John 2:12).  He is our Advocate and prays for us if we sin to have perfect righteousness in Christ (1 John 2:1).  I also believe Jesus prays for us in the midst of our temptations so our faith will remain strong.  This is what Jesus prayed for Peter as Satan tempted him (Luke 22:31-34).

One of the great prayers we see Jesus make for His disciples is found in John 17.  Jesus prayed for His disciples because He had a deep love and concern for them.  John 17:9-10 give us three reasons Jesus prayed for His disciples.  First, He prays because the Father gave the disciples to Him.  He saw them as a gift.  He treasured them.  That should give us purpose in prayer for the people in our lives.  God has given them to us as well.  Secondly, while the disciples are a gift from God, Jesus acknowledges they are really God’s as well.  He was being a good steward of the gift of these great friends and disciples.  We, too, should pray for people this way: as fellow saints who belong to God or for those who don’t yet belong to Him but need His salvation.  A third reason Jesus gives for praying for His disciples is God’s glory came to Him through them.  These were God’s chosen disciples and God would show His glory through their lives.  Jesus prayed for more of God’s glory to be revealed as these disciples grew in Him.

What confidence and joy a Christian should have knowing Jesus prays for them!  Don’t give up on praying.  No matter how hard you pray, Jesus prays harder.  No matter if your consistency in prayer wavers, Jesus never fails in His prayers for you.  Prayer works not because of our words or a specific formula but because of Jesus’ commitment to intercede for us to the Father.

Questions:

1. Does the knowledge that Jesus prays for us strengthen your prayer life?  How?
2. Because Jesus intercedes for us, we should intercede for others.  How important is praying for others?  What should you be praying?
3. Jesus prayed for us to give God glory.  Is your life giving God glory?  Are you hindering Jesus’ prayers by disobedience, fear, or rebellion?

Prayer:

Thank you Jesus for praying for me.  Thank you for knowing what I need and going to the Father for me.  Praise you for your forgiveness of sin.  Help me to pray for others and remember you always hear me and go to God on my behalf.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Church Prayer Request:

Pray we will raise the money we need to complete Redfield.  Ask God what your part is in planting the church.  Is it $5 a week?  $10 a week?  Some can do more, some less.  Whatever it is let it come from your heart and vision to win souls and make disciples in Family Church Redfield.

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stephenrharrison

Stephen and his wife Haley have called Arkansas home all of their lives. Stephen has served in several ministry roles over the last 25 years and as a lead pastor for the last 8 years. Stephen attended Williams Baptist College and earned a BA in Biblical Studies from Ouachita Baptist University, an MA, MDiv, and DMin in Christian Leadership and Pastoral Ministries from Liberty University. When not pastoring, Stephen enjoys running, cycling, reading, writing, camping, fishing, and spending time with his family.