READ: JOHN 17; ROMANS 8:34; HEBREWS 7:25; 1 JOHN 2:1

All of John 17 is a prayer that Jesus prayed to the Father on the night before He was arrested. He prayed for several things, but the most prominent theme was His concern for His followers. In these 26 verses, Jesus uses the pronouns they, them, and those 47 times. Jesus was praying for the disciples. But the shocker comes in verse 20, when Jesus says, “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message…”

Do you believe the old, old story of the good news of Jesus Christ? Then this verse is talking about you. Jesus prayed for you on that awful night, just before He was led away to die on the cross for your sins. All the things Jesus prayed for His followers are also for you:

• To be protected (verse 11, 15)

• To be unified (verse 11, 21-23)

• To have the full measure of His joy within us (verse 13)

• To be holy, or sanctified (verse 17, 19)

• To be with Jesus and see His glory (verse 24)

• To be filled with God’s love (verse 26)

Two thousand years ago Jesus prayed for you. And did you know that Jesus is also praying for you today? This wonderful truth is found in Romans 8—that Jesus rose from the grave, ascended into heaven, and is now at the Father’s right hand praying for you. Paul writes in verse 34, “Christ Jesus who died— more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”

Jesus prayed for you then. Jesus is praying for you now. How great is that? • Daniel Dore

• Have you ever thought about the fact that Jesus prayed for you on the night before He died on the cross? How does this make you feel?

• Read Romans 8:31-39. What do you think Jesus is praying for you today?

[Jesus said,] “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message.” John 17:20 (NIV)