You can click HERE to read the passage.
This entire chapter is a prayer that Jesus prays. Rather than commenting on this prayer I would instead like to offer up a prayer for my church (or any church). Perhaps it is a prayer that many of us can begin intentionally praying for our local body of Christ…
Baruch atah Adonai*. Blessed are You, O Lord our God, who alone is worthy of praise. Your name is exalted above the heavens. You are Jehovah Jireh – God our provider. You are Jehovah Tsudkeinu – God our righteousness. You are Jehovah Shalom, God our peace. You are Jehovah Nissi – God our Banner. You are El Shaddai – the Almighty, All- Sufficient One. Salvation and glory and power belong to You. You reign in majesty. Great and marvelous are Your deeds. You alone are the hope of this world. Blessed are You, O Lord our God, who has given Your life for Your bride, the church. You are rescuer and redeemer. You are our joy.
Baruch atah Adonai. Blessed are You, O Lord our God, who has removed our sins as far as the east is from the west. You have provided a covering for our sin through the blood of Your son and have graciously forgiven our depraved hearts. We confess that we have grievously sinned and turned our backs to You. We confess that everyday we forsake You and dig our own cisterns that cannot hold water. IWe confess that we seek pleasure in the things of this world. We thank You for the promise of Your Word, that “If we confess our sins You are faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
We ask that You would do more than we can even ask or imagine. You are a great God and we would dare to ask You to do great things. Would You raise up sanctified men and women to boldly lead our church with integrity and passion. Would You raise up a generation of students that hunger for truth and seek the satisfaction that only You can give. Would You fuel Your people with a longing to know You and Your incomparable Word. Would Your Spirit move in our body and create small group communities that understand what it means to “go and make disciples.” Would you teach us through the preaching and the teaching of Your Word how to love you with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength.We long to be a place where people can find hope and a place where people can call home. Would You transform us more and more into a worshipping community that seeks to glorify You by leading others to follow Jesus, both here and then to the ends of the earth.
Baruch atah Adonai*
(Baruch atah Adona means “Blessed are You, O Lord our God” in Hebrew)
Next Week’s Passage: John 18:1-14
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