(John 17)
So begins the most unique, passionate prayer in the Bible. John 17. Jesus, fully aware of His diety, of His incarnation, lifts His eyes and His voice to heaven and sets free a prayer that resonates throughout time.
Christ is hours away from His final breath. What a privilege we have to know His final thoughts, the words of one of His last prayers!
“I glorified You, Lord, on the earth, having accomplished the work which You had given Me to do. And now, glorify Me together with You, Father, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.”
The longing to return home is undeniable. Jesus was homesick. And yet, He devotes the remainder of His prayer to His disciples, on the unity that should exist among them – among us. “I ask that they may be one; even as You, Father are in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in Us.”
He speaks of the world and the spiritual dangers therein: “I gave them Your Word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”
He then crys out for strength and protection for His followers, that they would stand firm together, stand firm against “the evil one”.
In a yearning for us to experience the same kind of love that God gave Him, He ends His prayer with a hope “that the love wherewith You loved Me may be in Them, and I in them.”
Amen.
The hour has come. Your walk to the cross has led you to this moment – Good Friday. The final challenge is simple.
Challenge #30: Write a final prayer. Pretend this is your final hour. What thoughts come to mind? Who would you pray for? What would you thank Him for? Write your thoughts, but in the poetic form of a prayer. The hour has come.
It is difficult for me to finish. I plead with you to continue living your life with purpose, integrity, authenticity… with grace.
I pray that you continue to walk as though each month were your last.
Tomorrow, consider these final thoughts: THE THIRD ACT
Dear Lord,
ReplyDeletePlease help me to get through this disastrous situation. Please save me for my time has come to finally go. You are the only one who can save me.
I Love You,
Amen
(leslie)
ReplyDeleteGOD, YOU have blessed me way way WAY beyond what i deserve. i don't know why. this life YOU gave me...straight handed me...i do not deserve. i don't know why YOU wanted me (ME!!) to have it...but YOU do.
so thank YOU. for giving me a life i'll never deserve. for putting exactly the right people in my life at exactly the right time...and not just once--but over and over again! YOU always know exactly what i need. and YOU always make sure i get it. THANK YOU.
GOD, YOU have brought me a family i cannot understand. why so great? thank YOU for my sister. YOU couldn't have done a better job...YOU could have i guess...but i can't think of any way. she. is. perfect. for. me.
thank YOU for karen, lauren, danielle, drew, kory, molly, patti, julia, jondavid, lana, coach, the entire durden family, for all of ecym, and for all of bhym...and all of bhcoc, and for all the other MANY people that have blessed my life....the list drags on...
look over them. change them for what YOU want. everyday. make them more and more and more like YOU.
my life is completely worthless without YOU. so thank YOU thank THANK YOU for being in it. for changing it. for making it YOURS (when i would let YOU) for showing me the way. for making me clean like YOU. for showing me how to love...even though i will NEVER understand YOUR love. THANK YOU.
HE has been mindful of HIS servant. HE has been mindful of me. i will be blessed forever, FOREVER. i will be blessed by the LORD.
THANK YOU. i love YOU. and only b/c YOU've shown me what love is. I LOVE YOU. I LOVE YOU. I LOVE YOU. I LOVE YOU.
Dylon
ReplyDeletedear God
Thank you for the things i have done
the times i have had alot of fun
the things that have changed my view
thank you for the things that have helped my journey with you
for all of the things you have made
i realize they are beautiful in more than one way thanks for all the times you have helped me
in my final hour i can say this with glee
you have touched me and changed my view
everything i do is for you
thank you for all the people i have met
the bonds i have made i dont regret
you are the almighty
when i am judged by you i know everything is going to be alright
amen
Dear God, Thank You for the way you've blessed me. You have placed me in the midst of Your glorious creation and blessed me with the beauty of Your world.
ReplyDeleteYou have filled my life with so many people that have loved me and cared for me and helped me to see and to seek Your face. You have given me people to love and care for - a group of people drawn together by both birth and choice to become a family. I pray Your blessings on them all - I pray that You will give them minds that are open to Your teachings and hearts that are filled with Your love. You know their needs, their strengths, and their weaknesses. Please guide them and guard their hearts. Teach them to find their comfort in You and to be Your hands and feet in the world.
You've blessed me SO SO SO richly with Your love. THANK YOU! I can never deserve the love, the mercy, and the selfless sacrifice You've given me, but I am forever grateful that You care for me. You have loved me when I was unlovable, sought me when I hid from You, and saved me over and over again.
Abba Father be with me now as this phase nears its end. I pray that You will grant me strength to face what I must, so that I may glorify You for the rest of my time here on earth. Help me to believe in Your wonderful promises. I beg You to forgive my disbelief and doubt. Help me to remain firm in You and live out what remains of my life with my eyes fixed firmly on You and my heart full of Your love.
"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell[a] in the house of the LORD Forever. ~Psalm 23
Hmm. It's hard to sum it up. I'll try...
ReplyDelete"Father, I realize that my last day is now. I promise that in this last prayer I won't glamorize.
You have gifted me with a good mind, a strong personality, many talents, and a place to be. my family has provided so much. my friends have carried me, and I've carried them.you graced me by having a prescence in my life early on, for picking me up and lifting me through the clouds Ive encountered. Thank you.
Amen.