If we count the three times Jesus addressed the Father from the cross, there are ten New Testament examples of Jesus praying. His example clearly impressed His disciples, since it motivated them to ask, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). The most detailed example of Jesus praying is in John 17, often described as His “high priestly” prayer. This particular prayer — offered after Judas departed the last supper, but before our Lord and His disciples reached Gethsemane — occupies the entire chapter. Not only does Jesus touch a variety of subjects in this prayer, He also seems to reflect several different motives and attitudes in the course of it. I want to pray like Jesus! He prayed…
…With a recognition of the appropriateness of praying. Approaching the culmination of everything the Father had purposed in history to this moment, Jesus acknowledged the significance of it (John 17:1-4). All the Father had planned, and all that Jesus experienced as a man, led to the night this prayer was offered and He acknowledged the seriousness of the moment with this prayer. How often have I allowed the serious moments of my life to pass without pausing to honor or acknowledge the Father in them? Whether the birth of a new soul in this world, the birth of a saved soul into the kingdom, or the departure of a faithful soul toward eternal glory, there are moments in this life when “we do not well” to overlook the opportunity to thank and glorify the God Who makes them possible! Some situations just “cry out” for prayer, whether giving thanks for blessings or confiding fears, a wounded heart seeking consolation, confession of sins as I beg forgiveness, or the outpouring of anguish or despair when there is no one else to whom I can turn for comfort (cf. Ps. 142). I want to be mindful of the appropriateness of prayer in the “turning points” of my life! Jesus prayed…
…With focus on the need of the moment. On the night when Jesus knew He would be betrayed and deserted by His friends and approaching the moment He would complete every detail of His purpose in this world, that purpose nevertheless remained at the forefront of His prayer (John 17:4-8). Jesus was not distracted into self-pity by Judas’ defection, nor diverted with anxiety over His impending arrest, nor terrified by thoughts of pain, suffering, or death. Losing focus in my prayers to distractions and “minor” concerns robs me of the relief and boldness (Heb. 4:16) God wants me to find in His presence. Praying “earnestly” (Luke 22:44; Jas. 5:17) in a situation I don’t want to face can be truly challenging, yet Peter assures me of God’s care (1 Pet. 5:7), if I will “follow through” to let go of the cares I lay at His feet. I want to pray with the focus Jesus demonstrates in John 17! He prayed…
…Frankly, without holding back His concern for how the disciples would suffer by His death (John 17:9-14). Though Jesus had prepared them for this moment, He knew their potential for fear and discouragement in the trials they would face for His name’s sake. Even as He recounts what He accomplished with them (vs. 12), Jesus is still “focused forward” — frank — about the things they would suffer by remaining loyal to Him (vs. 14). I want to pray frankly, without “compartmentalizing” my thoughts, my shame, or my fears (Ps. 42:1-4). Jesus prayed…
…Ambitiously, confident that His disciples COULD fulfill the Father’s will (John 17:15-21). My desire turns far too easily to thoughts of escaping trial, rather than to conquering it! Jesus prayed for the Father to provide strength and resilience for His disciples to weather the storms they would face instead of asking that they be spared having their faith tested (cf. Jas. 1:3). In verses 20-21 He prayed with a far bigger perspective than just the twelve, including even me in His prayer! How easy it is, to remain focused only on self, with a “local and comfortable perspective” to my prayers! Jesus’ example challenges me to acknowledge His admonition in John 4:25, to enlarge my perspective as I pray! Can the prayer of an American Christian affect the lives of his Ukrainian brethren? Only if I don’t believe it can (cf. 1 John 5:14). I want to pray with the kind of ambition Jesus demonstrates! My Lord prayed…
…In anticipation of the result He desired (John 17:24-26). This point really relates to everything mentioned thus far, and James summarizes it in James 1:5-6 when he instructs us to ask of God (to pray) “in faith, with no doubting.” In Mark 9:23, Jesus gently chided the distraught father of a possessed child for asking His aid in a way that suggested perhaps Jesus couldn’t help him. Every Christian faces the challenge to “ask in faith,” despite the Lord’s assurances in Matthew 7:7 and John 14:13. I want to live so that I can pray with the anticipation that God will hear and grant the petitions I bring before Him — and may He forgive me whenever I fail by “asking amiss” (Jas. 4:3)! Finally, Jesus prayed…
…Intimately — though He spoke respectfully throughout this prayer, addressing God as “Father” rather than “Abba,” my Lord prayed without reservation, modeling what Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6, letting His requests be known. Jesus was comfortable speaking to the Father because He knows Him and did His will in all things (John 17:4)— may God help me to pray like Jesus!