Jesus' Prayer

     Growing up I heard about prayer so much that I am convinced that it may have been one of my first words.  However, my dad likes to make fun of me by saying I didn't speak until I was about three and then I never shut up.  I understood the concept of prayer like I understood the concept of speech, but actually getting the words out took a while for both. 
     I believed that I had to give beautify soliloquies to be able to pray out loud.  When it was just me, I kept it simple, but I didn't think it was the "right way".  Now I understand that prayer is an earnest conversation with God.  The only hard part is allowing Him to speak or listening when He does.
     Jesus knew how to pray.  He is the role model for prayer.  He prayed for God's glory even when it caused Him pain.  He prayed for eternal life for people.  Then, He followed through with the dreaded deed to give us the chance to have the same kind of conversations with God.
     Jesus thanked God for all He had in His human life.  He understood it all belongs to God, even people.  He asked for protection over what really mattered in life (relationships).  Jesus understood that just because we have the Word that it does not necessarily mean we know how to use it.  He knew the price it costs for following Him.  Seems like a heavy burden for Him to carry.  That is why He did not carry it alone.  He went to the Father. 
     Jesus prayed for sanctification through truth.  The truth is the only thing that can save the world.  He prayed for all believers to be able to live in unity.  His prayers and life made God known to all of us.  We don't have to be special in the world's point of view.  God sees what makes us special, even when we can't see it for ourselves.  Jesus prayed that we could really understand the love that He lived out, so that we can have it too.

John 17