April 11

Read: John 17:9, 15-21

Neither pray for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word (John 17:20).

Neither Pray I For These Alone

In our meditation of yesterday we saw the infinite heart of the Saviour in an agony of desire for eleven awed disciples who drew close to Him that night. He wanted them to remain in the world but to be kept from its evil. He prayed that the joy of His own fellowship with the Father might be theirs. He yearned for them to be really united with God by being filled with the Holy Spirit.

In Gethsemane, Jesus suffered as He bore the sins of the whole world. And there too He agonized over the spiritual weakness of His sleeping disciples. His concern was that they might be empowered by the gift of the Holy Spirit.

But His concern was not for them only. It was also for me. “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.” In that sacred hour the Son of God prayed for me that I might be sanctified; He prayed, and He prays still, for all who need this blessing. Can we carelessly pass by the deepest concern of Him who died to save us from sin?

We who have had our sins forgiven need this blessing. We who love God must press on until our love is made perfect. Every man and woman who has turned his face toward God is called to tarry until the very image of the holy Creator is renewed in him. We who have come to Christ at Calvary must continue with Him to Pentecost.

Prayer For Today

O my Saviour, I desire Thy full will for my life more than anything else in this world. May Thy prayer for Thy disciples be answered in me. Amen.