January 19, 2026
Did you know that Jesus prayed for you? Yes, we all know he is our great high priest interceding for us in heaven at the right hand of God, but even while he was on earth, Jesus prayed for you.
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:20–21, ESV).
This whole chapter is known as the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus. While he is mainly interceding for the disciples who followed him during his earthly ministry, he prays not only for them, but also for those who would believe in him through the testimony, and that’s me and you. As you read John 17 today, remember that Jesus is praying for you, and see if that opens up any new insights into his prayer.
Can you expound more on what eternal life in this passage means? Same Greek words in John 3:16 — but I believe evangelicals would teach this is future (aka “heaven” after we die) but I take it to mean eternal life BEGINS when we first know Jesus !