I love John 17 for the prayers that Jesus prayed! Look at verses 15-19:
15 I do not ask that You will take them out of the world, but that You will keep and protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world (worldly, belonging to the world), [just] as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth. 18 Just as You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 And so for their sake and on their behalf I sanctify (dedicate, consecrate) Myself, that they also may be sanctified (dedicated, consecrated, made holy) in the Truth. AMP
Notice that the prayer that Jesus prayed was so that His people would be set apart, consecrated and prepared to be IN TH WORLD! Why? Because the need for the Gospel is IN THE WORLD! The lost MUST hear the Gospel preached in order to be saved! Notice who else is included in these prayers from verses 20-23:
20 Neither for these alone do I pray [it is not for their sake only that I make this request], but also for all those who will ever come to believe in (trust in, cling to, rely on) Me through their word and teaching, 21 That they all may be one, [just] as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be one in Us, so that the world may believe and be convinced that You have sent Me. 22 I have given to them the glory and honor which You have given Me, that they may be one [even] as We are one: 23 I in them and You in Me, in order that they may become one and perfectly united, that the world may know and [definitely] recognize that You sent Me and that You have loved them [even] as You have loved Me. AMP
WE are included in these prayers! He has a job for us to do right here, and right now, and He has already prepared the way FOR us! How exciting this life is! Let's be BOLDLY about our Father's business, bringing Glory to His Name and people into the Kingdom! AMEN! Here is Hillsong with "Children Of The Light":
Shalom in Him!
