MOUNTAINS OF THE BIBLE: MT. of Prayer

​Introduction: Jesus and the Mountain of Prayer
Some moments in Jesus' earthly ministry stand out, showing us His deep connection with the Father. Among these are the times Jesus withdrew to the mountains to pray, which gives us an example of His devotion and dependence on God. These retreats to the high places were not mere breaks from the demands of His public ministry; they were sacred meetings with the Father where divine communion and strength were sought and found.

Jesus’ choice of a mountain as His place of prayer is symbolic. Mountains, often seen as places of revelation and encounter with God in the Bible, provided a serene and secluded environment for deep, uninterrupted prayer. On these heights, Jesus, the Son of God, immersed Himself in prayer, modeling the importance of seeking solitude to connect with our Creator.
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In the Gospels, we see Jesus ascending the mountains at pivotal moments: before choosing His disciples, after performing miracles, and as He faced the cross. Each instance reflects His firm commitment to align His will with the Father’s, drawing spiritual strength and clarity for His mission.

As we continue our Mountains of the Bible series today, we will specifically look at Jesus's prayer at the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. In this mountain prayer, we are invited to witness the intimacy He shared with the Father and draw inspiration for our prayer lives. In this high place of seclusion, we find a model of prayer and a testament to the power and necessity of withdrawing from the noise of life to seek God’s presence and guidance.
As I reflect on the importance of prayer, I'm grateful for the dedicated men and women in my life. While preparing for this message, I couldn’t help but think of the numerous individuals I know who are committed to prayer. I am deeply thankful for those who pray for me, my family, and this church.

One memory stands out of an elderly woman from the church where I grew up and later served as the youth pastor. She was a passionate woman of prayer. She told me she prayed for my ministry and family week after week, even before I was married and had children. Without fail, whenever I faced a spiritual or ministerial challenge, she would find me and say, “God has laid you on my heart today, and I have been praying for you.” She rarely shared specifics but always made it clear that she was praying.

Prayer should be a cornerstone of every Christian’s life, and it is powerful. As believers, we must embrace it as the divine gift, a means to communicate with God, exemplified by Jesus throughout His earthly life.

The High Priestly Prayer: A Model of Divine Intercession
Our focus today is John 17, also known as the High Priestly Prayer of Jesus. It is one of my favorite chapters in the Gospel of John. Here, we glimpse Jesus' prayer life, witnessing an intimate moment between Him and the Father. The prayer reveals how we, as His followers, are direct beneficiaries of His intercession.

The prayer at The Garden of Gethsemane, nestled at the foot of the Mount of Olives, holds great significance in Jesus’ life. Here, under the ancient olive trees and the quiet night sky, Jesus retreated to pray, seeking support and strength in the hours leading up to His arrest.

After sharing the Passover meal with His disciples, Jesus led them to this familiar place of reflection and prayer. The evening was tense in anticipation of what was to come. Gethsemane became the stage for one of the most emotional moments in Christian theology. It is here that Jesus retreats to pray to the Father for strength and guidance and to pray for his people.
Without further ado, let’s look at the prayer of Jesus.

Embracing Jesus' Priestly Prayer in Our Lives

John 17:1 – 5

The chapter begins with Jesus lifting His eyes to heaven and praying to the Father, a posture believed to be customary at the time. This contrasts with our modern practice of folded hands and bowed heads. Jesus opens with, “The hour has come,” referring to His imminent death, resurrection, and ascension. In this prayer, Jesus focuses on three ways to pray.

A. Jesus Prays for Himself

1. To Glorify God: Jesus’ prayer for God to be exalted through His death on the cross teaches us the true purpose of our lives. Just as Jesus affirmed the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan, we, too, should live to glorify God in all we do. This means recognizing that eternal life begins now—by knowing and building a relationship with God. Our actions, decisions, and daily lives should reflect this truth, continually pointing others to the glory and grace of God.
2. To Be Glorified in the Father’s Presence: Jesus’ desire to restore His pre-incarnation glory encourages us to seek a deeper understanding of His divine nature. Acknowledging His eternal existence and divine authority can foster a deep reverence and worship in our spiritual practice. This understanding also reinforces our faith, knowing that Jesus, in His glory, is continually interceding for us.
   
   

John 17:6 - 19

B. Jesus Prays for His Disciples (Verses 6-19)

1. Not for the World: Jesus’ prayer for His disciples reminds us of our unique position as believers. We are called to be set apart, having received and believed God's words. This understanding should deepen our commitment to living according to His teachings and being faithful witnesses to those around us.
2. To Keep the Disciples: Jesus’ prayer for the security of His disciples highlights the importance of steadfast faith. We are encouraged to remain firm in our beliefs, trusting that God will keep us secure. This assurance helps us face challenges and temptations with confidence, knowing we are held by His love and power.
3. For Unity: Jesus’ prayer for unity among His disciples calls us to seek harmony within our Christian communities. Just as the Father and the Son are one, we must strive for relational and spiritual unity. This unity is a powerful testimony to the world, demonstrating the love and truth of the gospel.
4. For Complete Joy: Jesus’ desire for His disciples to find complete joy in Him challenges us to seek our fulfillment in Christ rather than the transient pleasures of the world. By focusing on the joy of a relationship with Jesus, we experience a deeper, more lasting happiness that transcends circumstances.
5. Protection from the Evil One: Jesus’ prayer for protection against Satan reassures us of His ongoing intercession on our behalf. Knowing that Jesus prays for our safety and security in salvation empowers us to stand firm against spiritual attacks, confident in the victory that He has secured for us.
   
   

John 17:20 - 26

C. Jesus Prays for the Church (Verses 20-26)

1. For Future Believers: Jesus’ prayer for those who will come to faith through the testimony of His disciples is a powerful reminder of our role in evangelism. We are called to share the gospel, knowing that Jesus has already prayed for those who will believe. This encourages us to be bold in our witness, trusting in the power of prayer and God’s plan for salvation.
2. Unity Among Believers: Jesus’ prayer for unity within the church is a call for us to cultivate a spirit of harmony and cooperation. Our unity and love for one another are meant to be a testament to the world of our belonging to Jesus. By working together and supporting each other, we reflect the unity of the Father and the Son.
3. Complete Joy in Jesus: Jesus’ desire for us to live in His joy challenges us to embrace a life filled with His presence and purpose. By seeking and experiencing the complete joy of Jesus, we demonstrate the transformative power of His love and grace in our lives.
4. Protection from the Evil One: Jesus’ ongoing intercession, as noted in Hebrews 7:25, assures us of our victory over Satan’s accusations. This confidence allows us to live victorious Christian lives, knowing that we are protected and empowered by Jesus’ advocacy before the Father.
5. The Love of Jesus in Us: Jesus’ prayer for His love to be present in us calls us to embody His love in our interactions with others. By living out His love, we reinforce His petitions for unity, joy, and protection, becoming living examples of His grace and truth in the world.

The Comfort of Being Prayed For
Isn’t it wonderful to know we are prayed for? In moments of spiritual dryness, I am comforted by the knowledge that I am not alone in this spiritual desert. Jesus Himself is praying for me. This reality brings immense joy and reassurance, countering Satan’s attempts to divide, steal our joy, and sow fear and doubt. We are reminded that we are overcomers in Christ, secure in our salvation, and sustained by Jesus’ intercession.

It’s crucial for us, as believers, to live in unity, embrace a joy that cannot be taken away, and have unwavering confidence in our salvation. Knowing that Jesus prays for us, we too must be people of prayer. Jesus didn’t merely instruct His disciples to pray; He modeled it, emphasizing its importance. Here at Southside, let us become passionate pray-ers, striving for perfect unity within our body. Let’s not just talk about prayer—let’s live it.
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In conclusion, prayer is a powerful, transformative practice. It connects us with God, strengthens our faith, and unites us as a community. May we be inspired by Jesus’ example and His High Priestly Prayer to deepen our commitment to prayer, both individually and corporately. Let us pray with fervor and faith, trusting in God’s power to work through our prayers for His glory and our good.
 
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