Daily Walk Through the New Testament
September 4
Read John 16:29-17:19

On the night before Jesus was crucified, the Lord Jesus prayed what has been called the greatest prayer recorded in Scripture. This High Priestly Prayer is one of intercession, as the Lord prayed for Himself and for His current and future disciples.
At the heart of this prayer, we can see several ways that Jesus prayed for His followers. He prayed for our unity, asking the Father that His disciples would be “one” as He and the Father are one (17:11). While the world often tells us we must compromise convictions in order to achieve unity, the Father and Son share a unity based on perfect truth. Our unity should be based on the truth of Jesus and His Word.
Jesus also prayed for our joy, asking for His joy to be fulfilled in us (17:13). The language the Lord used here suggests the beautiful image of a cup being filled to its very brim with spiritual and heavenly bliss. Whatever happens, we can have an overflowing joy through Jesus.
Next, Jesus prayed for our protection “from the evil one” (17:15). The Lord asked not for His followers to be evacuated from the dangers of Satan and his schemes, but rather that the Father would guard us and keep us from harm as we live for Christ.
Finally, Jesus prayed for our holiness. He asked the Father to sanctify His followers through His Word, which is truth (17:17).
Today, you can live with the confidence that Jesus never stops interceding for you in the presence of the Father.