Pray even when blessings are promised
Gospel of John (97) Pray even though blessings are promised (John 17:1-8)
<Prayer to be answered>
Jesus’ prayer in John 17 is considered the “greatest intercessory prayer” and was praised by thousands of people. Calvin said. “This prayer is the seal of authority in the preaching of Jesus.” Luther said. “Its sound is simple, but its depth and breadth and richness cannot be measured.” Melanton said. “I have never heard a higher, clearer, more beautiful sound than this prayer.” This prayer is the longest prayer among Jesus' prayers recorded in the Bible, and the text teaches what kind of prayers are answered prayers.
1. Intercession for others
In John 17:6-26, the word “us” appears without missing a single verse. The word ‘us’ clearly reflects the spirit of Jesus’ intercession. The prayer will become a prayer that will be answered only when the prayer first becomes an intercessor. When you pray, pray with love for the soul. Instead of praying for others looking for something to be gained, really cherish his soul and pray for him sincerely.
Friends are limited in helping us. Conversely, there are limits to how we help our friends. So pray to God for each other. The strength of a single intercessor is never a weak force. In Jeremiah 5:1, it says that God will forgive the sins of the people if they find even one person who follows God's will. It doesn't take many people to do God's will. It only takes one intercessor. Even now, God is looking for that one person.
2. Prayer that exalts God
The Lord exalts the name of God and prays. “Father, the hour has come; glorify the Son, that the Son may glorify thee (verse 1). I have glorified you in this world by doing what you gave me to do (verse 4). I have revealed your name to those you have given me out of the world” (verse 6). When we have a desire to exalt God's name like the Lord, that prayer becomes a powerful prayer.
The Lord did not limit the scope, content, and type of prayer, but clearly set the goal of prayer. That goal is ‘the glory of God’. Therefore, when you pray, pray first that the prayer subject you want to receive answers to will be the glory of God, not your own glory. Then that prayer will become a powerful prayer.
3. Prayer according to God's will
The Lord was always interested in the will of God (v. 4). The way to know whether the prayers of the saints are the right prayers or the ups and downs and shamanistic prayers is to see whether the prayers are according to God's will. The essence of prayer is not ‘to have my will done in heaven’, but ‘to have God’s will done on earth’.
Before the cross, the Lord prayed earnestly in the Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:41). “Abba, father, all things are possible with you; remove this cup from me.” After pouring out his pain before God like that, he immediately sought God's will. “But not as I will, but as you will (Mark 14:36). The Lord also prayed according to the will of God. Such a prayer according to God's will becomes the prayer that will receive the greatest answer that glorifies God.
< Pray even if blessings are promised >
In Luke 22:39, about the Lord praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, “The Lord followed his custom and went to the Mount of Olives to pray.” How important are good habits? Among them, nothing is more important than the habit of daily morning prayer. Make prayer a habit. God can do everything on his own, but we still need to pray. Also, although God has already promised blessings to the saints, we still need to pray.
In Ezekiel 36:36, we see the promise that God will restore what has been destroyed. But go ahead and look at verse 37. “Nevertheless, saith the Sovereign Lord, they must ask me to do this for the house of Israel in this way. God had already promised that he would raise them up, but he still had to save them. Don't forget the word 'yet'. God has already promised blessings, but God still wants us to pray.
“How successful have you been?” in life is not important. What really matters is, “How meaningful are you? How much faith do you pray? And how much do you dedicate yourself to a meaningful life?” is to do Always strive to pray, but rather than short-sighted prayer answers, try to live a meaningful life before God through mature prayer, experience God's existence and become blessed hearts who fulfill God's will.