How many times do we tell people that we will pray for them and we don't do it? There have been times when someone has told me, "I will pray for you." But really I know that they won't. We forget, we get busy, we get distracted. But, God doesn't. We may forget but He won't. When a friend calls me on the phone and asks me to pray, I pray. I pray right then at that moment over the phone. Keeping my word when it comes to prayer is something I take seriously. If I tell you I am going to pray for you, I am going to pray. At times I may forget only to be awoken in the middle of the night with someone on my heart that needs prayer. When I commit to praying, I ask the Holy Spirit to not let it leave my mind. We have to take prayer seriously, Jesus did. Chapter 17 shows us just how serious Jesus was about praying.
As I have been reading the book of John, I have also been reading a book about the book of John. In regards to this particular chapter, Martin Luther is quoted in this book saying, "This is truly beyond measure a warm and hearty prayer. He opens the depths of His heart, both in reference to us and to His Father, and He pours them all out. It sounds so honest, so simple. It is so deep, so rich, so wide. No one can fathom it." Wow. Martin Luther's words say it all for me. I don't even know what I can possibly say about this chapter. It overwhelms me. Jesus is conversing with God on our behalf. He is always there to speak to the Father on our behalf. He is truly our intercessor.
Several months ago a friend of mine called needing to get her hair done. She called me because she knew my Mom was a hair stylist/colorist. She also knew that my Mom was very busy and booked up weeks at a time. Any accomplished hair stylist is not going to be able to get you in right away unless there is a cancellation and even then there is usually a cancellation list already in place. But when my friend called explaining how bad she needed her hair done, I said "Let me call my Mom and see what I can do." I called my Mom, begged, pleaded and she created a spot for my friend. She was already booked just as I suspected but since I called on my friend's behalf, she squeezed her in. Needless to say, my friend was ecstatic and has become a client of my Mom's. You see my Mom didn't really take that appointment for my friend, she did it for me. I am her daughter and she loves me so she blessed my friend because I asked her to.
In chapter 17, I like to imagine Jesus as He is talking to the Father. I like to picture His face and imagine what His voice must have sounded like as He prayed to the Father about you and me. Today He does the same thing. He intercedes for you and me both. Maybe something like this. "Bless them Father. For they have been faithful and have served you. Please send a buyer for their home soon. They really need this Lord." Our Father can't deny His own son. He loves Him so much that He blesses us on the son's behalf. He loves Jesus so He expresses that by blessing you and me.
Have you heard people say that they have a hard time praying for themselves? I have heard others say that they feel selfish praying for their own needs. But in this chapter, Jesus shows us that it is okay to pray ourselves. He did. He starts off by praying for himself. So why shouldn't we start our prayers off by praying for our own lives? He knows us so well. He knows what we are going to speak before we even speak it. Why not let Him hear what's in our hearts?
Thank you Jesus for this prayer. It seems so generic saying this sometimes but Jesus, thank you for loving me so much. Thank you for dying for me. Thank you for praying for me. Thank you for interceding for me. I pray that my love for you will be planted into the lives of others. Increase my territory Lord. Use this blog to brings women to JESUS. Thank you Jesus for the passion you have given me for your word.
5 comments:
Your thoughts are right in line with what I got out of it. Martin Luther always had a great perspective. I love how this is an example of prayer and interceeding for others. I have always tried to take the example of the LORD'S Prayer, and I had wondered how JESUS fit in praying for others. Well again this study has given me answers.
Amanda, I just want to thank you for your heart. You are open to HIS leading and you show it practically. I love you and am very glad we "met."
Prayer fo self, those in minstry with you and those who will be affected by your ministry.
He showed me through the last few chapters some practical ways to do small group living.
There is a time for fellowship. (Washing feet, sharing a meal)
There is a time of prophecy and promises. (Jesus predicts Peter's denial, promises the Holy Spirit.)
There is a time of teaching.
(Vine and branches, the Holy Spirit, Using His name.)
There is a time of warning.
(Warns of the worlds hatred.)
There is a time of prayer.
(For himself, his disciples and future believers.
Taken from chapters 13-17
When we meet together it is good to have a time of fellowship, prophesy, teaching, warning and prayer.
You know what i like about you two girls! Y'all are hardcore. I don't know what teaching you are getting but it's obvious that there is a purging inside both of you. Kellie and Sarah, I feel like I am on the same exact page as you. I need you in my life to remind me of what this journey is all about.
Amanda thank you for letting me see things in a different light.
I can honestly say I DO PRAY FOR EVERYONE that I tell " I will pray for you" It is hard sometimes because sometimes I forget to mention every single one but I find myself remembering through out the day that I DID NOT mention them. I then just pray for them at that moment. I do find it hard to pray for myself but I know I DO NEED PRAYER too. I never thought about God praying for me... that makes me feel special!
Great post. If someone ask me to pray for them, I tell them that there is no better time than now. I stop grab hands and pray, or if we are on the phone we pray.
I just think that it is so cool, that Christ does intercede for us to the Father, and I'm glad that I have brothers and sisters in Christ who interceed for me as well.
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