The Regulars

6 “I have revealed you[a] to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 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. 9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of[b] your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by[c] that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 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. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by[d] the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

Personal Reflection and Discussion

In this passage, we read Jesus’ prayer specifically for his disciples, the ones God has given to him. He is specific that this is not a prayer for the world, but for the disciples.

1. For what exactly is His prayer, and for what does He not pray?

2. What is a “parting gift” that Jesus desires for them to have? (v 13)

3. Where is Jesus sending His disciples/followers? For what purpose? (see Matthew 28:19-20)

4. With what has Jesus equipped His disciples/followers (see Acts 1:8)?

5. Think about someone the Lord has given to you. How is your prayer for that person similar to Jesus’ prayer for his disciples? How is it different?

Prayer

Jesus, we, like the disciples, live in a hostile world where unity of mind, body and spirit seems like an impossibility. We pray, Lord, that you would protect us from Satan’s desire to divide us, to pit us against one another, and to walk away from you. We pray that while we are in this world, we will not be of this world. We pray that while we walk this earth, our life would direct people to know who you are, to love you wholeheartedly, and to serve you completely. Let us draw near to you and in doing so, draw others to you. Amen.