Prayer For All Believers

John 17:20-26

20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one. 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them”.

Notes

The Lord Jesus prayed for the disciples’ preservation, sanctification, and mission. He revealed that His truth would sanctify them, causing the world to hate them. Instead of asking for their removal from the world, He prayed for their protection from evil.

Jesus also prayed for all who would come to believe through the testimony of the eleven disciples, later known as Christ’s apostles. Believers come to faith by trusting their message, which includes their writings recorded in the New Testament.

1. Prayer for All Believers

   The Lord prayed for the eleven disciples and for all who would believe through their word. This includes all future generations of believers. His prayer focused on unity with the Father, the Son, and one another. The purpose is for others to come to believe in Christ Jesus.

   
   20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me (John 17:20-21).

   Application: Jesus prayed for the eleven disciples and all who would believe in their word. Their word is written in the pages of the NT. The apostles or their close associates revealed the word of God for us to believe. The believers today should be united as the Father and Son are united. In what way? Through the word revealed in Scripture. The purpose of the unity is for the world to believe.

   
   

2. Glory to His People

   Jesus prayed for perfect unity, which can only happen through His word. It is the word that sanctifies. The purpose of the perfect unity is so the world will know that Christ if from the Father, and the Father loves the disciples as He loved Christ. He also expressed His desire for all the disciples to be with Him (John 14:1-3).
   
   22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one. 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world (John 17:22-24).

   Application: We should reflect the glory of the Father and Son through our unity as believers. It is not unity for unity’s sake; it is unity in His word. Thus, we should believe that we are already united in His word and let us remain united in His word. Let us thank the Father for His love that He loved us in Christ Jesus.

3. Perfect Unity in the Father’s Love

   The world does not know the Father, but the Son knows the Father, and the disciples know that the Son came from the Father. Christ revealed the name of the Father, meaning He revealed the Father in a more personal way. Christ continues to make the Father known to all disciples.

   
   25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them” (John 17:25-26).

   Application: Let us continue to know the Father and Son through His Word. As we do so, let us know that the Father loves us with the love that He loved the Son. We should also find every opportunity to introduce the Father and Son through His Word.

Reflection & Discussion

1. What kind of unity does Jesus pray for, and why is it important?

2. How does the unity of believers testify to the world?

3. What does Jesus desire for believers in His prayer?