Tuesday, November 20, 2012

“I Pray For Them”


     Just before His return to Heaven by way of the cross, the resurrection, and the ascension, the Lord Jesus Christ prayed for His disciples and for all who would believe in Him through the ages.

    “I have given unto them the words which Thou gavest Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from Thee, and they have believed that Thou didst send Me.I pray for them… Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word; (John 17:8-9; 20).

    The Savior’s supplication on our behalf continued after His heavenly homecoming.

    “He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).

    Recalling also our Lord’s words to His Father, “Thou hearest Me always,” born again believers possess a security as certain as the prayers prayed by the Lord Jesus, and the answers to those prayers, as bestowed by His Father (John 11:42).

    It is a wonderful thing when a fellow believer tells us, “I am praying for you.” It is an even more wonderful thing when the Word of God tells us that the Lord Jesus is praying for us.  He did so before ever we were conceived, and in this moment remember that He “ever liveth to make intercession.”  Thus, we can be sure He presently beseeches our Father to keep us, to provide for us, and to weave all things together for our good.  We can also be sure that the Father gladly responds to the Son whom He “hearest always.”

    No greater security can be known whereby our hearts rest in peace and assurance.  Our Savior prayed for us.  Our Father answered.  Our Savior prays for us.  Our Father answers.  Our Savior will always pray for us.  Our Father will always answer. Moreover, the Holy Spirit proceeds from prayers prayed to effect prayers answered in precise accordance with the glory of the Lord Jesus and our best interest.  Again, there is no greater security, rest, peace, and assurance for our needy hearts.  May the glorious gift of love – “I pray for them” – grace our hearts in this, yet another moment when the Father hears the voice of His Son breathing your name, my name, and the names of all who trust Him.

“I pray for them.”(John 17:9)

"Now thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift."

(II Corinthians 9:15)

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