"Jesus' Prayer For You”

CHRIST’S prayer was for a special people. He declared that he did not offer an universal intercession. "I pray for them," said he. "My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you." (v. 9) In reading this beautiful prayer through, one big question comes to minds; Who are the people that are described as "them," or as "they?" Who are these favored individuals, who share a Savior’s prayers, are recognized by a Savior’s love, have their names written on the stones of his precious breastplate, and have their characters and their circumstances mentioned by the lips of the High Priest before the throne on high? The answer to that question is supplied by the words of our text. The people for whom Christ prays are an “unearthly people.” They are a people somewhat, above the world. "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."

Today we are here to celebrate a special event: confirmation and also to remember those who are graduating. So with that in mind I want this message to be one that is focused on Christ prayer for each of us. There are five things that Jesus prayed for Christians that I will share with you this morning. So let’s get into the text.

Jesus Prayed:

A Prayer for Security - (v. 11-13)

A Prayer for Deliverance (14-16)

A Prayer for Sanctification (17-19).

A Prayer for Unity (20-23).

I. A Prayer for Security - (v. 11-13)

11 Now I am departing the world; I am leaving them behind and coming to you. Holy Father, keep them and care for them – all those you have given me – so that they will be united just as we are. 12 During my time here, I have kept them safe. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold.13 "And now I am coming to you. I have told them many things while I was with them so they would be filled with my joy.

This section of the prayer is very unique because it is the only place in the John where we find Jesus using the term “Holy Father.” One Bible scholar Darby suggests that Jesus uses this term because he want God to watch over us like a Father would.

• I like that image of God with all his power and might watching over each us with the affection of a Father.

We have the guarantee that God will keep the saints from the evil of the world the way a Father tries to protect his family.

There are two different forms of the word “keep” used in verse 12. One meaning more “I preserve” the other meaning more “I guarded” Jesus is simply reminding the Father

• “While I was in the world, I guarded them as a means to their preservation. Now I am no more in the world, and I come to you, Father to preserve them in your name.”

You almost see this from a parents perspective. You have raised your children kept them safe now they are about to go off to college leave the safety of your house and your care and you are simply asking God the Father to protect them now because you can’t do it any more. That is what this prayer is. Lord watch over the ones you have placed in my care, because I can’t. What a heart we see here from Jesus to pray a prayer like that for us. We truly see the Savior’s heart, the Savior’s love for us.

A Prayer for Security - (v. 11-13)

II. A prayer for deliverance. (14-16)

14 I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not. 15 I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. 16 They are not part of this world any more than I am.

Twice in this section Jesus reminds the Father, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” Jesus prayer here is one of deliverance to God saying,

• “God keep them from the evil man (Satan).”

The idea here is Jesus is asking God for protect us from Satan who is the prince of this world. We know as parents one of the fears we deal with is what kinds of temptations we have been protecting our kids from will they fall into. We try and watch what they see, and know about. We don’t want our kids to be exposed to the sickness that is lurking out there in the world. But we know once they have left our side Satan will try and expose them to all the trappings the world has to offer. So Jesus simply prays lord protect them form the Father of lies, Satan. Jesus prays Father help them because,