When we study the topic of prayer, we must include the most important focus of all and that is the prayer life of the Son of God. John 17 is the most extended one on record in the Gospels. Alternately, the three prayers of our Redeemer on the cross are perhaps the most concise.

Several times over the many years (28) I have been writing these devotionals, I have had my readers ponder aspects of John 17. This chapter gives us the most detailed instruction on prayer for ourselves of any Jesus offered. I encourage you to list everything Jesus prays for on behalf of His people. One request He asks for three separate times. Can you find it?

I have chosen the petition that Jesus asks that He and His people might be together. This was especially important for the disciples to hear that night, because the Master had just told them He was leaving them and they could not come with Him (John 13:33).

The disciples were devastated to say the least. Several times in John 14-17 the Good Shepherd gives reasons why they would benefit from His departure. He assured them about the coming Holy Spirit Who would minister to them in His stead. He also assured them that He would return. Now, at the end of His prayer He tells His Father, in the disciples presence, His wish is to be with His people.

What a loving, precious thought for all of the people of God. Presently we can only see our Beloved in the pages of the Bible, in His people’s imitation of the Master, as we listen to sermons about Him, as we sing the great anthems of the faith, and so on. But to see Him with these eyes and to hear His gentle voice, that will be glory indeed!

But for now hear Him with your eyes in this beautiful prayer and marvel that you are desired in His presence even though you have sinned against Him in many ways. He loves you with an everlasting love and longs for the day when He will gather you to Himself with the hands that are scarred with love. Do you not find yourself praying, “Even so come quickly Lord Jesus.”?

In the hour of trial,
Jesus, plead for me
lest by base denial
I unworthy be.
When you see me waver,
with a look recall,
nor for fear or favor
ever let me fall.

With forbidden pleasures
should this vain world charm
or its tempting treasures
spread to work me harm,
bring to my remembrance
sad Gethsemane
or, in darker semblance,
cross-crowned Calvary.

Should your mercy send me
sorrow, toil, and woe,
or should pain attend me
on my path below,
grant that I may never
fail your cross to view;
grant that I may ever
cast my care on you.

When my life is ending,
though in grief or pain,
when my body changes
back to dust again,
on your truth relying,
through that mortal strife,
Jesus, take me, dying,
to eternal life.

- James Montgomery