Praying Like Jesus - With an Intimate Commuion with the Father
Rev. Charles Oppong-Poku | September 17 2024 | John 17:1-5
KEY VERSE:
And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. John 17:5 (NIV)
MESSAGE:
Prayer is more than a set of requests. It is an intimate communion with God. In John 17:5, we witness a profound moment of communion between Jesus and His Father. The intimate communion that Jesus had with the Father is revealed in His prayer in at least two ways. Firstly, it is revealed in the way that He addressed God as His Father. In v.1 Jesus said, “Father, the hour has come” and in v.5 He said, “And now, Father, glorify me”. In the rest of the chapter, Jesus addressed God as the Father another 4 times, making a total of 6 times in this prayer. And the actual term that Jesus used is the Aramaic word 'Abba.' This is a term of endearment, that a little child normally used to speak to his father. The Talmud says that 'Abba' was one of the first words that a Jewish child learned to speak. The fact that Jesus used this to address God in His praying shows how close His communion with the Father was. This verse reveals the deep, eternal relationship between Jesus and the Father, which transcends time and creation. Jesus’ prayer shows us the importance of cultivating intimacy with God, not just as a duty but as a personal, ongoing relationship with Him.
In John 17:5, Jesus speaks of the glory He shared with the Father before creation, emphasizing His pre-existence and divine nature. His longing to return to that glory shows His deep connection with the Father, which was temporarily veiled during His earthly mission. This invites believers to seek a deeper relationship with God through prayer, which is about more than just asking for things but knowing God intimately. Jesus' request for the Father to glorify Him is rooted in the mutual love and shared glory between them, connected to His mission and eventual return to the Father. Similarly, our prayers should aim to glorify God, not just through actions but by growing in our relationship with Him and enjoying His presence.
FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:
Jesus' prayer reflects a deep, trusting relationship with the Father, inviting us to pursue the same intimacy. Prayer helps us nurture this connection, opening our hearts to God's transformation and focusing on His presence and glory in our lives.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help me to seek Your presence above all else in my prayer life. Teach me to pray with a deep desire for Your glory and to experience the fullness of my relationship with You. In Jesus' name, Amen.
THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.
SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!
DAILY word study: PRESENCE The Greek word for "presence" in this context is parousia (παρουσία), meaning "coming" or "being present." However, here it reflects the close, intimate relational aspect of being in the presence of God. In biblical terms, being in God's presence conveys a deep connection with His essence and majesty. Jesus is referring to the intimate and eternal communion He had with the Father before coming to earth. This “presence” is not merely physical, but also spiritual, representing the fullness of being in union with God. Jesus, nearing the end of His earthly ministry, longs for the restoration of that full communion.
This phrase emphasizes the intimacy between Jesus and the Father. It reveals the relational nature of the Trinity, where Jesus was in perfect union with the Father and the Holy Spirit before the incarnation. For believers, it suggests that prayer is not just a ritual but an invitation to enter into God’s presence, where deep communion and transformation happen. It encourages the pursuit of closeness with God, reflecting Jesus' longing for that intimate presence. Reflections:
How often do you seek God’s presence in your daily life, not just for answers, but for deeper communion with Him?
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