Prayer

I was reading through John recently and when you read things in order and not just a verse here and there, you notice different occurrences and timelines.  

““My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.””
​John 17:20-26

John 18 then starts with Jesus finishing his prayer time and being betrayed by Judas and arrested. John recorded Jesus' last time praying before he was betrayed for you and for me. 

What a testament to Jesus’  love for us that he prayed for all of us. He wants us to be where He is, to see God’s glory. He prayed for God’s love to be in us. How powerful is that to know that Jesus prayed for all future believers? That’s you, that’s me, that’s your kids and your grandkids. That’s for your neighbor who doesn’t know who Jesus is yet but really wants to know. For the one who thinks they don’t deserve to be loved, but Jesus prayed for them to be loved, and not just a little bit to be Abundantly loved!!

Jesus' relationship with His Father in prayer is so amazing. What a teacher we have to show us how to pray. There are so many times Jesus prayed in the New Testament that are recorded that we can learn from. It is so powerful to have that relationship with God, to be able to build that strong bond with Him. 

I find myself often doubting when things aren’t going how I feel they should. It takes me a while to slow down, think through the situation, and lay out all the facts and emotions. I find myself in these situations turning to prayer when I think I just can’t do it anymore. More often than not that conversation with God will help me see the things I was turning my blinders to, or an answer will come to the question I have been asking. I struggle with the gratitude part in my prayers and I am hoping the above verses will be a great reminder for me to bring my praise back to the one who prayed for me first. 

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13