When it comes to the prayers of Jesus, we often think about His famous prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane or His prayer on the cross. But did you know that Jesus also prayed specifically for His disciples?
In fact, He prayed for them multiple times throughout His ministry. Let’s take a closer look.
The First Prayer
The first time Jesus prayed for His disciples was shortly after He had chosen them. In Luke 6:12-13, it says, “In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God.
And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles.” We can assume that part of Jesus’ all-night prayer was dedicated to praying for these men who would become His closest followers.
The Prayer for Unity
In John 17:6-19, we see Jesus praying specifically for His disciples. This is known as His High Priestly Prayer because He is interceding on their behalf to God the Father.
In this prayer, Jesus asks that God would protect His disciples and keep them united. He prays, “Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one” (verse 11). This prayer shows us how much Jesus valued unity among believers.
The Prayer for Strength
Another time Jesus prayed for His disciples was right before He was arrested and taken away to be crucified. In Luke 22:31-32, Jesus says to Peter, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat,but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail.” This shows us that Jesus not only prayed for all of His disciples but also individually.
The Prayer for Future Believers
In the same High Priestly Prayer mentioned earlier, Jesus not only prayed for His disciples but also for those who would come to believe in Him through their message. In John 17:20-21, Jesus prays, “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you.” This shows us that Jesus’ heart was not just for His immediate followers but also for all future generations of believers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it’s clear that Jesus prayed for His disciples multiple times throughout His ministry. He prayed for their unity, protection, strength, and even for future believers.
As we study these prayers of Jesus, we can learn a lot about how to pray for our own friends and loved ones. Let us follow Jesus’ example and intercede on behalf of those around us.