Who's Praying for You?
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction
Introduction
Have you ever told someone “I am praying for you?” If you are a Christian in any way I’m sure you have. Sometimes we use it as a platitude “I’ll pray for you.” Sometimes we actually mean it, and we stop what we are doing and we say a prayer. I don’t know about you, but I always feel my prayers are insufficient.
If you’ve ever felt this way then there is hope. Today our reading is a special prayer. In this prayer Jesus makes on his last night on earth. After making this prayer at the last supper Jesus is going to leave for the garden were he is ultimately arrested and sent to the cross.
As Jesus makes this prayer, we notice one thing that is different than any other prayer he prays throughout scripture. This is a prayer that is directed towards us, his disciples. Jesus is not making a prayer for the world but this is a personal prayer for each and every one of us. And when Jesus prays it is a perfect prayer for us. And Jesus perfect prayer is in close proximity of the father. So today I ask you to be comforted in the prayer of your lord and savior.
Personal Prayers
Personal Prayers
Jesus is praying for his followers
“I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word.
Throughout Jesus’ ministry he prays for different things
To Glorify God
“This, then, is how you should pray:
“ ‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
World
As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”
Prays for sinners
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,
Prays for those who executed him
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
In this passage Jesus is praying for his disciples directly
This is a prayer for them
But this is also a prayer for us.
Perfect Prayers
Perfect Prayers
We pray imperfect prayers
Maybe imperfect intentions
Imperfect Understandings
Definitely imperfect means
Jesus’ Prayers are perfect
His intentions are perfect
His understandings are Perfect
His means are perfect
He teaches us to pray
Proximate Prayers
Proximate Prayers
When we pray we pray at a distance
Sometimes we are distances because of unrepentant sin in our lives
Sometimes our minds are just distance from prayer
Sometimes we are just distant from God
Jesus has God’s ear
Who has a better connection with God than his son?
Jesus is now sitting at God’s right hand?
Jesus lived an sinless life, there is no sin to distance him
Jesus has a perfect understanding so his prayers are perfect
Conclusion
Conclusion
This is in no way to give us an excuse not to pray, but rather this is meant to be a comfort to us. While we pray imperfect prayers, we have a Lord who make the perfect intercession for us. He speaks to God the Father in a person way. He also speaks to God the father in a perfect way. And He speaks to God the Father in a close way. So when you are in need remember what ever you are praying to God, Jesus is there interceding on your behalf.
