If you want a good check to see if you are following God’s will, consider the prayer the LORD prayed in John 17. This prayer reflects the heartbeat of God. It expresses the very will and purposes of God. It expresses the result and outcome—fruit—of life in the LORD that glorifies God. It speaks of the kind of fruit that would be realized through disciples living in the way of the LORD.
RELEVANCE
In the John 17 prayer the LORD asked the Father that:
- The Son would glorify the Father
- Eternal life be given to as many as the Father has given to the Son
- We would know the Father and the Son
- We would be one with the Father and Son
- We would have Christ’s joy fulfilled in us
- We would be kept from the evil one
- We would be sanctified by the truth
- The world would believe that the Father sent the Son
- We would be made perfect in one
- Those whom the Father gave to the Son would be with Him where He is
- We would behold His glory
- The love with which the Father loved the Son would be in us
Meditate on these things Jesus prayed for. He prayed with purpose, passion and intentionality, intending that Father God would answer His prayers! He prayed that His prayers would be realized in and through you!
REFLECT AND RELATE
God’s greatest delight is His children walking in unity with Him. Such a genuine union may be rare, but is truly precious to God.
As you make decisions, keep these things in mind. Review key decisions in the context of this prayer. Ask God how your life can bear fruit in accordance with this prayer that you be blessed and He be glorified.
REFERENCES
John 17:1-26; Romans 8:28; Ephesians 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22