Jesus prays for His disciples
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On the night He was betrayed...
He broke the bread and washed the disciple’s feet. He warned that Peter would deny Him, and one would hand Him over to death. He promised the Holy Spirit and gave His disciples words that were meant to sustain them as they witnessed His death; words that would transform them into men of courage and boldness. He prayed.
He prayed for you.
Before Genesis 1:1, He knew you.
He knew you would be alive in 2020, living through this season of division and uncertainty. He knew every longing of your heart before your heart began to beat. He knew the grief you would face in this life. He knew what would bring a smile to your face and every weakness you would try to hide. He knew that sometimes you would be so passionate for His glory that you felt you had to tell the world, and that more often than not you would be distracted and passive. He knew you, and called you, and planned the kingdom work He wanted you to do, and the gifts He would give you to fully equip you to walk out His plan and purpose for your life.
Before the foundations of the earth were laid or stars were hung, when the earth was formless and without void and there was only darkness, Jesus knew you would need to be saved. And so He came- for you. That night of His betrayal, he prayed- for you. He said “I am not praying for the world”. His prayer was particular.
He prayed for the Father to keep you.
He prayed that you would experience true unity with other believers.
He prayed that His joy would be fulfilled in you.
He prayed that you would be kept safe from the evil one.
He prayed that you would be sanctified in truth through His words.
Jesus Christ, your great high priest, prayed for you just before his death. Now risen and seated at the right hand of the Father, He lives to intercede for you.
May you be held by the Father, unified with the church, filled with the joy of Christ, kept safe from the enemy of your soul and made more and more holy as you meditate on His Word, sustained by His prayers until He comes again. Amen.
-Natalie Runyon