GOSPEL OF JOHN

WEEK SEVENTEEN: POWERFUL PRAYERS

READ: CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

COMMENTARY ONLY

COMMENTARY & SCRIPTURE

DEVOTIONAL

Chapter Seventeen – POWERFUL PRAYERS

If you want to know someone’s heart, then listen to their prayers. This is a very special passage of Scripture because it is the longest recorded prayer of Jesus. The Lord begins by praying for the Father to be glorified. He then prays for protection for the disciples. He also prays for future disciples that we would have complete unity.

Unity glorifies God and people are intrigued and inspired.

When a church family is multigenerational and multiethnic, it represents the diversity and beauty in the body of Christ. The world sees Jesus’ love when we walk in harmony. Conversely, when there is jealousy, envy, slander, gossip, bitterness, complaining, backstabbing, and resentment, people will leave and stay far away.

No one is drawn to God when there is pride, division and strife.

The prayers of Jesus continue to be answered and fulfilled when we are humble and guard the unity God has given us.

 

Just Choose Hope

HOPE POINT

Jesus fervently interceded for us.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. What does Jesus pray for Himself? (17:1-5)

 

2. What does Jesus pray for the disciples? (17:6-12)

 

3. How does God sanctify us? (17:13-19)

 

4. What is the purpose of unity? (17:20-21)

 

5. How can we guard and grow in unity? (17:22-26)

 

6. Who can you share this Scripture with during the upcoming week?

 

PRAYER

Thank You, Father God, for hearing our prayers. Thank You, Jesus, for interceding for us. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for helping us when we don’t know what to pray. Every time we pray, we are reminded how much we need You, God. Thank You for Your power in our weakness. Thank You for bringing unity where there has been strife. Thank You for providing restoration where there has been pain. Thank You for peace where there has been worry. You are a great God and we pray in Your name, Jesus, amen.