Sunday – To Glorify the Father: John 17:1-5
Jesus began this intimate prayer to His Father by praying for Himself, asking that the “Son be glorified,” showing His desire that the Jews come to realize that He was the promised Messiah. Then He acknowledged His imminent death by making the connection that in the Son being glorified, the Father would be glorified and through His sacrifice all men would be availed the opportunity to be saved. Having been born of both the Spirit and of man, His death, resurrection and ascension would overcome His humanity, reveal His divinity, and establish God’s plan of salvation for mankind.
Monday – They Who have Believed: John 17:6-8
Jesus prayed for His disciples. During their walk together, Jesus had revealed to the disciples all things concerning the attributes of God, particularly God as their father. He laid a spiritual foundation in their lives and they received the words and teachings by faith and accepted that what Jesus shared was from God. Even though many of their countrymen rejected the truth, through what the disciples had seen and heard, they were convinced and believed that Jesus was truly God’s Son, the promised Messiah.
Tuesday – Praying for His Own: John 17:9-12
It was Jesus’ desire that God keep and protect those with whom He had grown so close. Jesus wanted them to be preserved in the doctrinal truth which had been imparted to them through His witness and testimony, for He knew (1) that they would face great hardship and testing for their witness of the gospel, and (2) that the profound power of the Truth of God would keep them free and make them able to endure. He yearned for them to remain in unity as a body of believers—to be one in the Spirit—as they had while He was with them. The combination of divine truth and spiritual fellowship would keep them secure in their faith.
Wednesday – Words of Joy & Love: John 17:13-14
Jesus had an eternal perspective on His death, resurrection, and ascension, events that were about to transpire. He knew that after He ascended, many would reject the truth and put His disciples through pain and hardship, but Jesus desired that God would reveal to the disciples the joy that He already comprehended: an enduring joy that was in store for them. Coupled with the spiritual power and practical instruction of God’s Word, despite the world’s rejection, Jesus’ disciples could stand strong in righteous integrity.
Thursday – Words of Power & Light: John 17:15-19
Jesus prayed that the disciples would be protected from evil and the evil one, and be kept safe from the corruption of this world. Through His heavenly perspective, He recognized that they were marked by Almighty God and just travelers through this world. He prayed that just as He had been set apart by God they also would be set apart and consecrated for His purpose.
Friday – Spiritual Unity: John 17:20-24
Jesus’ prayer also went beyond the disciples, turning toward all disciples to come. He invoked His personal relationship with God and petitioned that future generations be granted those things He desired for the disciples who walked and talked with Him. He prayed that people of all ages would receive Him, believe in Him, and be united with Him in the Spirit. It was in this incredible, cooperative unity that the world would know that we are His disciples.
Saturday – Balancing Truth & Love: John 17:25-26
In the conclusion of His prayer, Jesus stated that the world did not know the love of the righteous Father, but He affirmed that those disciples who followed Him did know and understand the truth. He prayed that they would be full of the love of God, as He was, because it is through the Father’s love that they were enabled to witness of the truth.