The Prayer of Jesus

I've read the bible numerous times and this is the first time I realized that Jesus prayed to his Father on MY behalf. He was going to be crucified and before he was to be taken away, he prayed for the future believers. John chapter 17 is too long to type into this format, but I will highlight some of the prayer that touched my heart the most.

"My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. ... Now I am departing the world; I am leaving them behind and coming to you. Holy Father, keep them and care for them, all those you have given me, so that they will be united just as we are. .... I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They are not part of this world any more than I am. Make them pure and holy by teaching them your words of truth. ... I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me because of their testimony. My prayer for all of them is that they will be one, just as you and I are one, Father, that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me."

At first Jesus is praying for his disciples. Then he prays for anyone who will ever believe. That includes me. I never realized this. I don't even recall this passage ever being preached about. Even 2000 years ago, Jesus prayed for me. How special is that? Jesus pleaded with God to protect me and watch over with me. He asked that we will be one with him and the World will know that I am apart of God and not of the world.

I also like how the prayer models the way I should be praying for my two girls. Not only should I pray for my girls, but my grandkids and future generations to come. My mother and I were discussing our genealogy. According to the records she has, my mothers family has strong Christian roots that go back 200 years. I have read some of the comments my ancestors wrote to their children, which is a prayer similar to the one Jesus prayed to his Father.

Here is my prayer for my girls. Father, I bring to you Abby and Emily, that you will protect them and watch over them. Draw them to you in all of their days. I pray they will remain close to you and follow you all of their lives. I pray you will keep them away from abusive relationships with men and keep them sexually pure. Father, help them to grow in you and protect them from the power of the prince of the world. Keep them in your arms. I pray they will not stray from you. I pray for their husbands that they will be men of God. For Abby, I pray for a musician who plays guitar. I pray for my grand children that they will also remain close to you and will accept you as their personal savior. Thank you Father for sending your son as an example to us and for dying on the cross for our sins so we might be free. Amen.