Saturday morning and a beautiful sunny, but cool day in Cape Town. To set the scene, Mike is playing golf at Simon’s Town Golf Course. Julian is in town for the weekend. He has gone off to meet someone about some books. I had breakfast with him and then he dropped me back home, where I’ve caught up with some laundry. We are meeting up later for lunch.
So I’m here at home and able to reflect upon what I read this morning. I have read this passage many many times, but have never put my name to it. Today I did and the outcome was profound. It’s personal.
Picture from christchurchva.org
The passage I am referring to is in John’s gospel. In chapter 17, Jesus, before He is crucified, prays for His disciples. In verse 20, He says this,
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message…”
He is praying for me, and if you’re a believer, His prayer was for you too.
I put my name in the prayer of Jesus in John 17:1-19 and it became very, very personal. Put your name in the spaces provided and see what I mean.
“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that Your Son may glorify You. For You granted Him authority over __________ that He might give eternal life to __________. Now this is eternal life: that __________ knows You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. I have brought You glory on earth by finishing the work You gave Me to do. And now, Father, glorify Me in your presence with the glory I had with You before the world began.
I have revealed you to __________ whom You gave Me out of the world. __________ was Yours; You gave __________ to Me and __________ has obeyed Your word. Now __________ knows that everything You have given Me comes from You. For I gave __________ the words You gave Me and __________ accepted them. __________ knew with certainty that I came from You, and __________ believed that You sent Me. I pray for __________. I am not praying for the world, but for ____________ who You have given Me, for __________ is Yours. All I have is Yours, and all You have is Mine. And glory has come to Me through __________. I will remain in the world no longer, but __________ is still in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, protect __________ by the power of your Name, the Name you gave Me, so that __________ may be one as We are one. While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that Name you gave Me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.
I am coming to You now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that __________ may have the full measure of My joy within him/her. I have given __________ your Word and the world has hated __________, for_________ is not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take __________ out of the world but that you protect ___________ from the evil one. __________ is not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify ____________ by the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I have sent _____________ into the world. For ____________ I sanctify Myself, that ____________ too may be truly sanctified.”
To God be the glory.
These are the days.
Keep the smile going.
God bless you.
In His Grip,
Helga xx 🙂