This chapter gives us the longest recorded prayer of Jesus. In it he prays for himself (and God’s glory),for his disciples and their security without him. He closes praying for the (then future) church and its ongoing unity.
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Father in Heaven,
We join with Jesus in praying for your glory, knowing that this may mean our own suffering as we share in the sufferings of Christ.
We also pray that you would keep us and all of those believers we know connected to yourself. We have seen many walk away over the years so we pray for security and stability in our faith.
We also pray for unity in the church. Help us to work toward unity based on your word – on the teaching that the apostles gave us from you. Help us to enjoy unity found in the shared life of the Father and the Son. And let us express that unity in mission to an unbelieving world.
Finally help us do whatever it takes to be united with our brothers and sisters in Christ here and now.
And we pray these things to you Father, along with Jesus Christ your Son.
Amen
Heavenly Father,
We thank you that Jesus has come not only to save us but to overcome our enemy the devil. Thank you that we can have confidence that you are at work and have won the battle, even when we face various trials. Help us to remain strong in our faith and to never fall away as so many others have done.
We thank you for the work of the Holy Spirit within us and for the way he inspired the human authors of your word. We now ask you to help us fill our hearts and minds with the Bible and stay focused upon it, that we might continuously experience your peace.
And we pray this in Jesus’ name,
Amen
Dear Lord Jesus,
We submit ourselves to you as our Savior, our Redeemer and our Lord. As the branches need the vine, we understand that our spiritual life depends completely on you. Without you we can do nothing.
We ask you to produce fruit in our lives by means of the Holy Spirit who indwells us. Let that fruit transform our personalities so that we become more and more like you.
Help us to be strong and faithful witnesses for you in the face of the world’s hatred. And let us experience your joy regardless of what we face here on earth.
In your name we pray,
Amen
Central Reflections 