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THIS WEEK’S BIBLE INSIGHTS ARE BY:
Ian Moore and are based on John 17:1-5 (NIV)
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ MORE ON THIS WEEK’S MAJOR THEME:
John 16
1 After Jesus said this, he looked towards heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that
they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.”
Sunday February 25 - Looking to heaven
After Jesus said this, he looked towards heaven and prayed... John 17:1
Jesus’ template prayer, in Matthew 6:9, begins, “Our Father in heaven...” Prayer was central to Jesus’ life; prayer addressed to his Father in heaven. Often, while it was still dark, Jesus would go to a solitary place to pray (Mark 1:35). The disciples noted Jesus’ dependence upon prayer, to such an extent that they asked, “Teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1).
There are countless books written on prayer, and more sermons preached than we can remember; yet prayer remains something that most of us, including me, find a struggle. Today’s text follows a discourse by Jesus about the trials his followers would undergo in the days ahead. In the middle of this, Jesus declares: “In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete” (John 16:23-24).
Dear friend, no matter what you are facing, take a moment to turn your eyes towards heaven and begin to pray. In so doing, we turn our eyes from the problem to the solution, in the knowledge that ‘every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father...’ (James 1:17). This is why we must pray!
Father, please help me to follow my Saviour’s example by looking upwards to heaven in faith as I pray, in the knowledge that you are ‘above’ all things. Amen.
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PRAYER FOR TODAY