So it’s my tradition after the prayer of the day to bring a message to all of God’s children. And I want to talk a little bit about what Jesus says today (7th Sunday of Easter, Year C, John 17:20-26). We’re going to hear Jesus do something the Bible tells us he does a lot – but doesn’t always gives us the words Jesus used. Jesus is going to pray. He is going to do what we do in church – use words to express his hopes, needs, dreams, and awe to God, the father. This is an opportunity, I think, for us to not only listen to Jesus pray but to also ask ourselves – what do we pray for?
So we have a tradition in my family to, every night, say our prayers together. I first invite my kids by saying “how do we start our prayers?” and then they all say “Dear God.” We then go around sharing two things we’re thankful for – such as having fun in school, doing well on a test, or maybe we’re grateful for coming back from vacation safely. There’s actually a lot of things we can be thankful for – even those things we don’t really imagine we need to say we’re thankful. We can be thankful for our family, for the food we eat, for the roof over our head, for even the opportunity to go to school – even when school gives us a bunch of tests. We get to be grateful for the ways we get to be ourselves – and all the ways God helps us grow, and reveal to others, who we get to be too. It takes time learning what we can be grateful for so if it’s difficult at first, that’s fine. But over time, you’ll start to notice all the small blessings that are really big blessings that God surrounds you with. I wonder what things Jesus could say in his own prayers that he’d be thankful for.
The next thing we do is then name 2 things we want to pray for. We pray to do well on a test tomorrow or maybe do well at a game. We pray that we’ll be safe while we travel or even that we’ll have a good night’s sleep if that’s something we’ve been struggling with. We’ll also pray for specific people who need our prayers and also in generalities – praying for those who are scared, those who might not have a home, and those who are bullied. God invites us to be honest, to admit the truth about who we are, and to hold close to God even when everything feels hard. I wonder what things Jesus prayed for too.
What makes Jesus’ words today a little different though is that Jesus prays for you. Even though this story takes place nearly 2000 years ago while Jesus was having his last meal with his friends before he was arrested and headed to the Cross – Jesus knows that his story isn’t only for those immediately around him. God’s love, God’s grace, God’s hope, and God’s mercy is meant for them and for all who come after them – which includes you. Jesus wants you to know that you are loved; that you have value; and that you are part of something so much bigger than yourselves. And that when things are hard, Jesus will be right there alongside you in ways you don’t even realize. You are a beloved child of God and Jesus prays that you will always remember that no matter what life throws your way.