THE LORD'S HEARTFELT PRAYER - PART 1

FRIDAY 30 JUNE 2023

This topic is an indicator that Jesus is an effective intercessor. While He prayed for His disciples, every born again Christian was included in the prayer. He started the prayer in this manner: I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them (see John 17:6-10 NIV). More below!

Reference: John 17:14-15 New International Version (NIV) "I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one."

Having examined the details of the elements or structure of versified statements of truth above, I am going to expound both verses in segments. In other words, for exposition purposes, I have divide them into 3 separate parts.

The first part is: "I have given them your word and the world has hated them" The second part is: "for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world." The third part is: "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one."

In this article, I'm dealing with the first part, which is "I have given them your word and the world has hated them."

Jesus has given us God's Word and the world has hated us. Why the hatred? It is because the Word of God is the greatest gift from heaven and we are not of the world. The Word is superior to any other gift on earth because it produced all of creation. Are you with me? So the world's hatred is "irrelevant" and "unimportant" as long as you are filled with the Word given by the Lord Jesus Christ. You don't have to consider the impetus of the world's hatred because you have the superior and advantageous force in operation, when you're loaded with the Word.

To that effect, Colossians 3:16 says, "Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom He gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts" (NIV). Filling yourself with the Word will help you to create an inestimable valuable teaching and counselling moments, full of wisdom, as you share it with fellow saints.

The effectiveness of God's Word in the life of a born again Christian is excellently overwhelming. In it, we find precious guiding principles that help to shape our lives according to God's perfect perspective. It equally produces quality outcomes rooted in the great work of God's grace, which are not commonly seen in the world.

The Word also empowers us to exercise restraint; it subdues darkness, and silences opposition, even among those who are not saved (unbelievers). So don't pay attention to the world's hatred but rather, focus your full energy and attention on the Word. More so, its important that we wield an unusual seriousness and solemnity as we study the Word and cogitate on it, to ensure that we apply it in an effectual manner.

Beloved, the Word has been given to you as a Christian, but the question is: How often do you use it?

John 5:39-40 says, "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me. But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life" (NKJV). What does this imply? It means that as you study the Scriptures diligently, your thought pattern will be infused with the very thoughts, conviction and perception of eternal life, because they testify about Jesus Himself, the source of eternal life, yet many people refuse to study and cogitate on this holy book filled with life. Stay tuned for part 2. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Matthew 4:4; Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 1 Peter 1:25.

Exuberant Declaration: The Word is a lamp that guides my feet and a light for my path. Hallelujah!