Covered by Jesus
Elaine Poproski Download: Audio
Scripture: John 17:6-19
“I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Read more…
Looking to Sunday
by Elaine Poproski
Have you ever been prayed for by someone who seemed to have an extra-special connection to God – like as you listened to them you suspected God might be attuned to their voice in a way that was somehow more intimate than you’ve experienced in your own prayers? While all Jesus’ followers are expected to pray for each other and for our world (when we pray for others we call that intercessory prayer), there are people who seem to be especially gifted or talented at that kind of prayer. It’s not that God doesn’t listen to all of us; it’s just that some people seem to have an extra oomph to their intercessory prayers; it’s the way the Holy Spirit is embodied by them.
One of the most extraordinary things about Jesus is that He prays for us. In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Roman Christian, he writes this: It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us (Romans 8:34). Can you imagine a better intercessor than Jesus?!
On Sunday we’re going to read part of a prayer Jesus prayed for His disciples – those He was with in person and all the rest of us who’ve come since. You can read the whole prayer in John 17. As I think about what it means to be Rooted in Jesus, I find it incredibly hopeful to realize that the metaphorical dirt in which we’re rooted isn’t passively waiting for us to do the work, but is doing the work with us. Jesus prayed for us! Jesus is praying for us! The entire Trinity that is our God, is rooting (pun intended) for our success – that we would be abundantly fruitful in the Spirit’s gifts! To quote Paul, If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31).
As you prepare for Sunday, perhaps spend some time inviting Jesus to pray for you. Perhaps spend some time inviting Jesus to pray for those you love, for your neighbours, for your enemies, for our city, for our world… And then, when you’re ready, perhaps spend some time reading John 17:6 – 19. As you do, hi-light or underline the things Jesus prayed for His disciples. What might God be saying to you today through Jesus’ prayer?