December 26
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JESUS PRAYS TO THE FATHER
A poem by ILMA
Father, it has come now. Adore your Son so he can give praise back to you
I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do
Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began
I have revealed you to the ones you gave me and they were for you always
You gave them to me, and they have kept your word by giving up their lives
Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, as you are the provider.
They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me
My prayer is not for the world, but for those who belong to you
All who are mine belong to you, and you have given me glory
Now I am departing from the world but they still live in this corruption
Protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just like us
During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me.
I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction
I have given them your word and the world hates them because they are foreigners
I’m not asking you to remove them from this world, but to keep them safe from evil Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.
Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world
I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.
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MEMORY VERSE
“My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory. – John 17:9-10
Read: John 17:1-19
This chapter gives us a glimpse how Jesus, who was also God prayed to his Father. Let us emulate this humble stance of Jesus even though he had equality with the Father.
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REFLECTION
• What is Jesus’ character shown in this intimate prayer to God? Compare it to David’s way of praying in the Book of Psalms.