Unity in the Body: Learning to Pray for Oneness Like Jesus
Introduction
The prayer of Jesus in John 17 is often called the High Priestly Prayer, and it gives us a window into His heart before the cross. In this prayer, Jesus prayed for Himself, for His disciples, and for all believers who would come after them—including us today. It is one of the longest recorded prayers of Jesus, and it carries profound lessons for how we can approach God in prayer. At its core, this prayer is about unity in the body of Christ, but within it we also see themes of protection, sanctification, mission, and glory.
When we take time to sit with this prayer, it becomes clear that Jesus was not only modeling prayer for His followers but also inviting us into His ongoing intercession. The words He prayed then continue to shape how we pray now. Let’s take a closer look at this prayer and see what we can learn about our own prayer lives.
Praying with the Big Picture in Mind
“After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, ‘Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you.’” (John 17:1, NLT)
Jesus begins His prayer by acknowledging the bigger picture of God’s plan. He doesn’t start with His immediate suffering but with the glory of God and the purpose behind what is about to happen. This teaches us that our prayers should not only focus on our present struggles but also align with God’s eternal purposes. Jesus reminds us that prayer is about lifting our eyes beyond our immediate needs and recognizing the divine story we are part of.
For our own prayer lives, this means starting with God’s glory before our own needs. When we begin our prayers with worship, thanksgiving, and recognition of God’s greater plan, it reshapes how we see our struggles. Prayer then becomes less about escape from problems and more about joining God’s work in the world.
Praying for Protection and Strength
“Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are.” (John 17:11, NLT)
Jesus knew the challenges His disciples would face after His departure. His prayer for their protection wasn’t about shielding them from every hardship but about keeping them faithful and united in the face of trials. This shows us that prayer is not always asking God to remove difficulties but rather to strengthen us to stand firm in the midst of them.
When we pray for others, we too can ask God to keep them spiritually strong and guarded against the schemes of the enemy. Parents can pray this over children, pastors can pray this over their congregations, and friends can pray this over one another. True prayer looks beyond temporary safety and seeks eternal faithfulness.
Praying for Sanctification
“Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.” (John 17:17, NLT)
Jesus prayed that His followers would be set apart through the Word of God. This was a prayer not for comfort but for transformation. It reminds us that prayer is not only about asking God for blessings but also about asking Him to make us holy, aligning our lives with His truth.
For us, this means regularly praying that God would shape us through Scripture. When we open the Bible, we don’t just read it; we let it read us. Praying for sanctification means inviting God to transform our thoughts, desires, and actions so that they reflect His will in our daily lives.
Praying for Mission
“Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world.” (John 17:18, NLT)
Jesus’ prayer also centered on mission. He knew that His disciples were not meant to stay in safe circles but to go out and share the good news of the Kingdom. Prayer, therefore, should not only be about our personal needs but also about asking God to empower us for His mission in the world.
This means we can pray for boldness to share our faith, for opportunities to witness, and for courage to live out our calling. Every believer has a mission field—whether at work, in school, or in our communities. Our prayers should ask God to use us as His hands and feet in those places.
Praying for Unity Among Believers
“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.” (John 17:20–21, NLT)
This is perhaps the most famous part of Jesus’ prayer. He prayed for unity in the body of Christ, knowing that our witness to the world depends on our oneness. Unity does not mean uniformity—it means love that overcomes division, forgiveness that restores relationships, and humility that places others above ourselves.
In our prayer lives, this means interceding for the global church, for our local congregations, and for relationships that need healing. When we pray for unity, we are praying directly in line with the heart of Christ, who knew that the credibility of the gospel would be tied to the love among His followers.
Praying with Eternal Perspective
“Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!” (John 17:24, NLT)
Finally, Jesus lifted His eyes to eternity, praying that His followers would one day be with Him in glory. This gives us perspective that prayer is not only about the present but about preparing for eternity. Our prayers should reflect both trust in God for today and hope in the promise of being with Him forever.
When we pray with an eternal mindset, we remember that trials are temporary, but God’s promises are everlasting. This allows us to pray with both faith and peace, knowing that the end of the story is already written.
Conclusion
The prayer of Jesus in John 17 is rich with lessons for our own prayer lives. It teaches us to begin with God’s glory, pray for protection and strength, seek sanctification, embrace mission, intercede for unity, and fix our eyes on eternity. When we learn to pray like Jesus prayed here, we not only draw closer to God but also become more effective in living out our faith.
So, the next time you pray, let this chapter guide you. Allow the words of Jesus to shape the way you lift your heart to the Father.
Related Blogs in This Series
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From Checklist to Crying Out: Learning to Pray from the Heart
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When Little Feels Like Not Enough: Jesus’ Prayer Before Feeding the Multitudes
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Wrestling in the Garden: Learning to Pray Like Jesus in Gethsemane
Call to Action
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