The Prayer of the Savior Availeth Much

Introduction

Prayer is an essential practice of the Christian worship. If there were not biblical commands to pray, the scriptures are certainly replete with examples of prayer to follow.

What is prayer to you? Where do you turn to get your “synopsis” on “how-to” pray? Is it a biblical perspective based on the prayers and people praying within the pages of our Holy cannon? Or has the tradition of your family, culture, and immediate church culture fashioned your prayers and prayer time? Which of those factors has been more influential in constructing your understanding of prayer?

Sometimes our prayers are far more “corporate” than they are Christ-like. We’re looking for a kind of R.O.I. (return on investment) rather than investing in Christ’s return. His intention for us to worship through prayer has been the same since he prayed for himself, his disciples, and all who would follow him because of the disciples’ words. He want(s)ed us to join in glorifying him as the Father glorified him and as did the Father before he came to save us. Prayer unites us in that purpose. John 17:15-21 displays such a purpose in prayer. We’ll spend our time preaching and praying through this event ; this example today.

John 17:15–21 ESV

15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. 20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

Jesus’ prayer is unmistakably about unity. The Unity of he and his father; the unity of the disciples and he and the father; the unity of the followers of the disciples words with all three.

It’s interesting to me to hear how Jesus prayed in the midst of this gloomy moment. It makes me consider and reconsider the content of my prayers and the fore-thoughts that go into my prayers.

For Jesus: Unity is the bottom line. First, unity for He and the Father. Now, where we are picking up today, I am caught by the drama of Jesus’ request that he “not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep from the evil one.”

What are the things you find yourself most praying for? Around what do your prayers revolve most?

Now, before speaking to this, let me be sure you understand. I’m making an observation of our prayers.... not offering up condemnation of our prayers.

If I were to guess, that vast majority of mine and your prayers are about:

Healing from sickness, ailments, or annoyances.

Deliverance from personal pain, despairs, (financial, circumstantial, or familial)

Assistance to be better or “do better” at life

To ALLEVIATE

On the other hand… look at the prayer of Christ for his disciples… he has requested that they first be...

1. Kept in God’s name that they would be one with He and the Son

2. That they would NOT be taken out of the world

3. They they would be kept from evil (the evil one)

To ENDURE

Constructing Christ-Like Prayer

John 17

Luke 11:1-13

1 Thessalonians 5:17 “17 pray without ceasing,”

Resources

“Every Moment Holy” - Douglas McKelvey

“Spiritual Disciplines” - Donald Whitney

George Mueller

Time, Practice, Persistence