Jesus prays for all believers

Jesus Sticks Up For Us.

In John 17:20-26, the portion of scripture for this week’s sermon, we notice a definite shift from Jesus informing the disciples about what is to come, his death and resurrection, to Jesus actually interceding for the disciples on their behalf, as they listen on. It’s a prayer between Jesus and His Father...with the disciples almost eavesdropping on the conversation.

How do you feel when others pray for you? I think each of us probably feels differently based upon our unique personality and previous life experiences. For some of us, it feels comforting to hear someone praying out loud specifically for us. For others, it might feel uncomfortable, awkward, vulnerable, and not really even desired.

If I could sit with you individually and talk about this scripture, I would ask you...how do you feel when someone prays out loud for you? Does it matter who the person is and what your relationship is with them? Why do you think it makes you feel the way you do, whether that’s a good or bad reaction? It would be worth thinking about.

In this scripture, Jesus is praying for the disciples and for all those who will come after them too. 

Romans 8:31-34

So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? (The Message)

I don’t always feel real comfortable when others pray for me publicly, but the fact of Jesus praying for me, sticking up for me...wow! I wish I could eavesdrop on those conversations. It’s deeply comforting to me to know He’s got me covered all the days of my life.

Ruth Spencer