Isn’t it great to know that in John 17:1-26 Jesus has prayed for believers to grow in holiness and to be kept from evil? Isn’t it also great to know that Jesus has prayed that unbelievers in the world would hear the truth and become believers? This prayer, which comes at the end of a teaching conversation, is sandwiched between the Passover or Last Supper on the one hand, and his arrest and subsequent trial, crucifixion and resurrection on the other hand. This prayer covers so many topics, that it is difficult to analyse it. One method is to see John 17:5 being his prayer for his glory (he is glorified when sinners turn to him and are made righteous, because of his death on the cross); John 17:6-19 being about the disciples with him, and John 17:20-26 relating to future believers. However, since most of what he prays in John 17:6-19 applies to future believers also, and Jesus comments in John 17:20 that he is praying for them too, we are then left with a large section John 17:6-26 which relates to all believers. How should we analyse this? One way is to look at Jesus’ prayer requests, his purposes for praying, and his supporting reasons in prayer. 3 requests For his own glory in John 17:1 and John 17:5. For the holiness of his followers in John 17:11, John 17:15 and John 17:17. For the unity of believers together, and with the Father, in John 17:21 and John 17:24. 7 purposes That God may be glorified in John 17:1 and John 17:24 That believers may be united with each other and with God in John 17:11 and John 17:22-23 That the scriptures might be fulfilled in John 17:12 That believers may have joy in John 17:13 That believers may become more holy in John 17:19 That the unbelieving world might believe in John 17:21 That the love between the Father and Son might be experienced by Jesus’ followers in John 17:26 4 reasons To give eternal life to his people in John 17:2 Because his followers are not in the unbelieving world any longer in John 17:14 So that the world may know that Jesus has been sent by God, through the sending of his people into the world in John 17:18 and John 17:23 Because the Father loved the Son since before the beginning of the world in John 17:24 8 words What Jesus prays for or about can be summarised under eight topics, which are considered in more detail in the audio download: World Holiness God’s Word Evangelism Unity Glory Love Joy Jesus has prayed for both those who would become believers, as well as those who were already his disciples. Thank God that he has prayed for his people, whether not yet believers, or already believers by now.