Lent: Jesus Prayed for You and Me
Bible Readings
Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.
20 I am not praying just for these followers. I am also praying for everyone else who will have faith because of what my followers will say about me. 21 I want all of them to be one with each other, just as I am one with you and you are one with me. I also want them to be one with us. Then the people of this world will believe that you sent me. 22 I have honored my followers in the same way you honored me, in order that they may be one with each other, just as we are one. 23 I am one with them, and you are one with me, so they may become completely one. Then this world's people will know that you sent me. They will know that you love my followers as much as you love me. 24 Father, I want everyone you have given me to be with me, wherever I am. Then they will see the glory you have given me, because you loved me before the world was created. 25 Good Father, the people of this world don't know you. But I know you, and my followers know that you sent me. 26 I told them what you are like, and I will tell them even more. Then the love you have for me will become part of them, and I will be one with them.
John 17:20-26
Memory Verse
Hebrews 7:25
He is forever able to save the people he leads to God, because he always lives to speak to God for them. (CEV)
Did you know that Jesus thought about you? Jesus loved you before you were even born. He showed his love by dying on the cross to pay the price for your sins. He loved you so much that he prayed to God for you… Yes, you!
Jesus spent the last night before his death eating the Passover meal with his disciples. He taught, encouraged, and prayed with them.
First, Jesus prayed that God would be glorified through him. He knew that his death and resurrection would bring glory to God, rescuing us all from our sins.
Also, Jesus prayed for God to protect his disciples. He knew they would go through many trials and hardships because of their faith, but many more people would believe because they would share the gospel.
And then, he prayed for everyone else who would have faith in God. Jesus said, “I want all of them to be one with each other… I also want them to be one with us.”
Jesus wasn’t just praying for the believers born in the next few years—or even the next thousand years. He was praying for everyone who would believe in him—forever! Isn’t that amazing? Jesus wants everyone who believes in him to be united in him. In other words, everyone who believes in Jesus is one; we are part of God’s family! God’s love becomes a part of us, and more people will learn about Jesus through the love we share. Because of Jesus, we can pray and talk to God about anything. Jesus is with God, and he can help us talk to God every day.
Prayer
Dear God, thank you that Jesus loved me before I was even born, and thank you that Jesus paid the price for my sins. I am so glad that I can know Jesus. Please help me to share Jesus’ love with everyone so your family can grow. Amen.Related Resources
Areo Keller-Donahue
As soon as Areo could pick up a popsicle stick, she was making puppets and putting on plays that shared her faith with her neighbors. Areo grew up with a strong interest in musical theatre and earned her BFA at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Areo was led to use artistic gifts to share the gospel with young ones, and she became involved in ministry. She has worked in children's ministry at Redeemer Upper West Side and North Way Christian Community and is currently developing a musical live-action series that celebrates faith and fun. Areo and her husband live in Pittsburgh, where they enjoy spending time with their families and adorable cat, Daisy.