What Did Jesus Pray For?

Bible Study
WHAT DID JESUS PRAY FOR?
I suppose if we could find out what Jesus prayed for that would be a good thing an important thing

We have seen in our bibles that Jesus went up into a mountain apart to pray But there is no written record of what he prayed

certainly his example is good for us to follow to come apart to pray

Jesus in the Garden went a little further prayed if it is possible let this cup pass from me never the less not my will but thine be done

Here is an example for us to surrender to the will of God and forsaking our own

Jesus on the Cross Asked the Father to forgive those who crucified him

Again another example we should follow Forgive those who do us wrong

But there is a place in our bible where Jesus pours his heart out to the Father for his Disciples in their presence On the way to the garden

Jn 17:9-24

There is something special about having someone really pray for you
with Fervency Passion Sincerity

But to have the Lord Jesus praying for you that would be amazing

Did you notice vrs 20

Joh 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

Either through their written word or as their witness has passed down through the generations I trusted Jesus Christ as my Saviour and according this vs 20 Jesus is praying for me

You know I really appreciate the prayers of the saints but I have been forgotten and no one is praying for me Jesus is praying

Heb 7:25 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.

Ro 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Since the Lord is praying for us, we should take notice of some things that is Lord is praying about.

1) That the Father would keep them
Joh 17:10-12 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them. 11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are. 12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.
Joh 10:28-30 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one.

1Pe 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

It is good to know that we are safe in Christ

2) That we would not be taken out of the World
Joh 17:13-15 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world,…

Wouldn’t be nice that once you received Christ as your Saviour, he took you straight to heaven?

Think of the benefits Get out of this world of sin and wickedness

All of our troubles would be over

Never sin again Never disappoint the Lord Never Grieve the Holy Spirit

But the Lord prays that the Father would leave you here in this world

to live among the lost wicked and ungodly

it goes to purpose Something for you to do Be Salt and Light

Mt 5:13-16 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. 14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Salt has an affect on the food it comes in contact with

Light has an affect on the room it is introduced to

So we as Salt and Light are to have an affect on the world around us

We are not to act and live like the world

A Christian should not have an unrealistic expectation of this world’s reaction to the saint of God being salt and light

You should expect those in the world to give you a hard time

talk behind your back call you names create rumors
Make false accusations
Put Salt in an open wound Or light into eyes use to darkness
What do you expect if they are not happy with you

3) That God would keep them from the Evil
Joh 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

Notice how this is phrased to keep them from the evil

Evil is still present

people have this notion that God should remove all evil from the world

God leaves evil with us, so that we can make a choice

Jas 1:12-15 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

The door to temptation is never removed

The Devil makes it so inviting, that we are drawn away of our own lusts and enticed

2Th 3:1-3 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: 2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

Ps 119:133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.

The Lord Jesus Christ is asking the Father to intervene on our behalf

He gives us a way of escape to sidetrack the entry into temptation

1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

4) That the Father would Sanctify Them
Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Tit 2:13-14 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

The Lord wants us to be Clean and Different

A Peculiar people, Zealous of Good Works not screwy nuts

Living for Jesus normally will be nutty enough going to church 3 times

We are to be separate from the world

I’ll speak for myself What separated me Cleansed me
Purified me What made the difference

Was the word of God and to an extent being around God’s people

Ps 119:9 BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

We go to the Mission we talk to them about their lives

how to get victory how to make real changes in their lives for God

When we tell them it sounds so elementary Too simple

Get in the Book Get under sound Preaching Fellowship

I have observed that those, and they are few, who will get into the word of God, regular (faithful) attendance in church fellowship with believers

make the changes they desire to

I have seen that when they distance themselves from God’s word
The less different from the world they become

5) That they Would be Sent to Preach the Word
Joh 17:18-20 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. 20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

Mt 18:11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
Lu 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

Mr 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Ac 1:8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

We are to reach the world for Christ Home or abroad

We are not to force, coerce, manipulate, or trick people into believing
But by the persuasion of the Scriptures and convicting power of the Holy Spirit, lead Men Women Boys and Girls to the Saviour

6) That the Father would Make them One
Joh 17:20-23 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. 22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: 23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

We are one in Christ All Believers are in one body which is the church

Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Col 1:24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church:

Ro 12:4-5 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

You have today a call for unity All Christians to come together in love putting away differences

I don’t believe the Lord expects any doctrinal compromise for the sake of unity Truth is more important than a sentimental kumbiya

Remember vs 17
Joh 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

Emotion is not to supercede the word of God

I believe the Lord is referring to unity of purpose in spite of personality differences I Cor 12

the 4 of us have different personalities/ yet we are one in doctrine and in purpose

To Bring God Pleasure To live for God in the midst of a wicked world
To witness for God to a lost world To fight against the enemies of the Lord

Mt 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

7) That the Father would Bring them Home to Heaven

Joh 17:24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

Joh 14:2-3 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

2Co 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Why does the Lord pray for this?

That we might see his Glory which the Father has given him

To look upon that transfigured Christ

Re 1:14-16 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire;15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.

Then with closer examination seeing the pierced hands and feet reminding us of what he has done for us
To close this message

The prayer that Christ offered for his Disciples is also a pattern for us as we make intercession for others

Notice: The Lord magnifies the positive even though he knew all the sin and errors of their past

Intercession is not a bash session, but rather to pray that the Father would move and work on another’s behalf.

We should pray for others:

1 That they would be Secure in their Faith
2 That they would be Salt and Light
3 That they would be Kept from Evil
4 That they would be Sanctified through the word
5 That they would be a Witness to this World
6 that they would be One in Christ and to Love One Another
7 That they would be Confident of their Home Going
(Looking for that Blessed Hope)

Php 1:23 ….. having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: