Praying for others is a good thing. I am thankful when people pray for me or my family. I certainly need it. But what encourages me even more is knowing that my Lord and Savior is praying for me—yes, for me—and for you—for all who are His followers. Jesus is currently sitting at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us. “Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” (Romans 8:34). The form of the verb “interceding” in this verse means continually interceding—continually pleading our case, appealing for us, intervening for us, and petitioning the Father on our behalf. Wow! What a blessing to know that the Lord is constantly praying for us, right now, on His throne, next to our heavenly Father.
The devil/satan is always accusing us. His names mean accuser and adversary. “Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: ‘Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down’” (Revelation 12:10 emphasis mine). The great news is that the Lord Jesus is advocating for us day and night. And He will continue to do so until He takes us home. “Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25). None of the charges that the evil one brings against us can stand, because Jesus fully paid for every sin—past, present and future. And He stands in the gap for us everyday, all day.
The Apostle John recorded a prayer of Jesus, one that He spoke the night before He was crucified. It is found in John 17:1-26. The Lord made four different requests of the Father on behalf of His disciples in that prayer. He clarifies in verse 20 that He is praying, not only for His initial disciples, but also for any who would believe through their word—that means future believers like us. We will look at His first request in this article, and examine what Jesus is praying for each of us, and see how that brings us hope.
Jesus’ first request of the Father is for our protection:
13 “But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves.
14 I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
15 I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one” (John 17:13-15).
Jesus prayed for our protection because He intended for us to remain in this world, a place where His followers are outcasts. Jesus had already warned His first disciples about coming persecution, just hours before His High Priestly Prayer in John 17. And because we are being sent into this hostile world, He knows that the current ruler of this world (satan) will try to defeat us. The word translated “keep” in verse 15 above, means to guard or watch over, in order to protect. So, Jesus is praying for us to be guarded during the attacks of the devil.
A couple of things are important to note about our protection. It does not mean that Christ followers will be exempt from trials and persecution. The Bible is full of “promises” about suffering. We too often equate faithfulness with material and physical blessing. “If we do the right things then God will make our life easier—more comfortable.” But, mature and obedient Christians all around the world are suffering for their faith, even to the point of death. Some missionaries are willing to go to countries where Jesus is hated (and they, by association are hated). Throughout church history, martyrdom has often been the norm, not the exception. But we can remain steadfast in our hope because our Lord in praying for us.
Another point related to our protection is that it is primarily spiritual rather than physical. That does not mean that God never protects us physically, He certainly does. I can look back over the course of my life and see many times that I should have been seriously injured or killed (usually from my own stupidity), but was spared. But, I believe that the New Testament promises us continual spiritual protection. We can expect the Father to strengthen us to maintain our faith, no matter how severe the trial.
The Apostle Peter writes about this kind of spiritual protection in his first epistle:
8 “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
9 But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.
10 After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.
11 To Him be dominion forever and ever. Amen” (1Peter 5:8-11 NASB).
The word translated “devour” in verse 8 can mean to swallow or destroy, but also connotes being overcome by grief or guilt. I believe the devil’s most common tactic against Christians is to attempt to discourage us by laying guilt trips on us. He then tries to convince us that God has given up on us because of our sin.
Resist him! Ignore him! Remain firm in your faith! Our Lord will never leave you nor forsake you. He is praying for you right now—to protect you—to strengthen your faith. “God…will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”
The Christian life is a battle, a spiritual one. But the great news, the fantastic news, the hope filled news is that we are on the winning side. Not because of us, but because of the One who loves us and continually intercedes for us.
Be filled with hope this week as you face various kinds of trials. Jesus is sitting on His throne and praying for you. Until next time, walk in the light of God’s radiant hope.
How comforting to know He not only died for my sins but even though I still goof up, he is interceding for me still. It is truly humbling
I am so thankful for this. Thank you, Jesus!!!