Jesus’ Prayer for Those Who Believe

Text: John 17:9-19

Reflection and Question: Scholars agree that the gospel of John was written down around 90 AD, when house churches were scattered across the lands of the eastern Mediterranean controlled by the Roman Empire. I try to imagine how this prayer would have stirred those first listeners of this Gospel who are our direct ancestors in the faith. They would have been touched by Jesus’ plea for protection against the evil one and for their sanctification in the truth. And this is Jesus’ same prayer for us now because these blessings are still what we need to be in the world, as we are. How are you sanctified in truth?

Prayer: Holy God, whom Jesus called Father, hear the prayer of Your Beloved Son. Protect us in Your name which You gave to Jesus. Make us one, as You are one with Him. Complete Your joy in us as we try to do Your will in the world. Amen.

This meditation is based on the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).