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The Prayers Of Jesus Pt 5

September 5, 2024 • Pastor Joe Sabolick Ph.D. • John 13:34–35, John 17:24, Colossians 1:15, John 17:20–26, Psalm 133:1


Jesus' Prayer for the Church


John 17:20-26

20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;

 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 

22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 

23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

 24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 

25 O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me.

 26 And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”



1 Jesus' Prayer for Unity in the Church


John 17:20-23

20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;

 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 

22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 

23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.



Jesus prays for unity among all believers, both present and future, reflecting the unity between Him and the Father.



Unity is essential for the Church to be a witness to the world. 

Are our actions promoting unity or division?


Psalm 133:1 How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity! 



Unity as a form of evangelism


John 13:34-35 – 

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” 


A unified Church attracts others to Christ through love, patience, kindness, and grace…



II Jesus' Prayer for Future Believers to Experience His Glory

John 17: 24

Jesus expresses His desire for us to be with Him and see His glory,

 a glory given by the Father before the creation of the world…

It’s The Relationship~ 

He Desire Of Us To Know Him~


John 17: 24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 


Jesus Is God Manifested In The Flesh~ 

To Take away the sin of the first Adam 

He Became A Man~ 

All Human All God! 

To Die For His Creation So We Could Know Him~ 




Col. 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 

 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 

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 may have the preeminence.




Jesus' will is for us to experience His presence eternally. 


This is His greatest gift to us—eternal life and fellowship with Him.



III Jesus' Prayer for Love to Be in the Believers


John 17:25-26

25 O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. 

26 And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” 



Jesus prays that the love the Father has for Him may be in believers and that He Himself may be in them.



Jesus' love in us compels us to love others, 

serving as intercessors in prayer, just as He intercedes for us.


Matthew 5:43-48

43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 

44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,



4  Jesus' Example of Prayer in Crisis~


Matthew 26:39-42

39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will. ” 


40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 

41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

 42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.” 



Mark 14:36 And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will. ”





 Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane models how to pray in times of crisis—honestly expressing our desires while submitting to God's will.



In a crises, we should follow Jesus' example by laying out our desires to God but ultimately submitting to His perfect plan.



Psalm 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil;

For You are with me;

Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.


Summary: Jesus’ prayer for the Church in John 17 covers unity, the experience of His glory, and the indwelling love of God. These are not just lofty theological concepts but practical aspects of our daily walk with Christ.

Challenge: Reflect on Jesus' prayer and ask yourself: Are you living in unity with other believers? Are you seeking to experience and share the glory of Christ? Is His love evident in your life and prayers for others?

Call to Action: Commit to being a part of the answer to Jesus' prayer by striving for unity, longing for His presence, and demonstrating His love through intercessory prayer.