The Prayer of Jesus for Us

From the series "Bible Prayers" or "Famous Prayers in the Bible"

Nearly 2000 years ago, Jesus prayed for us. In actual fact, he was the first one who prayed for us, long before we were born into this world. Even if no one else had ever prayed for us ever since, his prayer would still be enough. All we have to do is acknowledge it, recognize it is for us and ask God to listen to it.

After saying all these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you. For you have given him authority over everyone. He gives eternal life to each one you have given him. And this is the way to have eternal life—to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth. I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. Now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.

“I have revealed you to the ones you gave me from this world. They were always yours. You gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, for I have passed on to them the message you gave me. They accepted it and know that I came from you, and they believe you sent me.

“My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory. Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. During my time here, I protected them by the power of the name you gave me. I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriptures foretold.

“Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth.

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

“I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!

“O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”

John 17 (NLT)

Prayer for Financial Blessing

Note: Many people have requested prayers for financial blessings and help for coping with financial difficulties. This prayer is for them and for all those who turn their eyes to the Lord in their time of need.

Great God of love and mercy, you know not only the depths of our hearts but also every situation and turn of circumstance in our lives. You know your children who are struggling with financial difficulties, inability to pay their debts, unemployment, frustration for not being able to provide for their families, and painful uncertainty as to what tomorrow might bring. You know their tears and their prayers and none of them is forgotten before you.

For all these people I pray, and especially for those who read this prayer and feel it is for them. Bless them, Father, bless them with prosperity and abundance, so that their heart can rejoice and be grateful. Bless them with a miracle, so that they can praise you wholeheartedly and tell everybody what an amazing God you are. Take the burden of worries and struggles off their shoulders, so that they can enjoy and share the full blessing of having a perfect Father like you.

Lord God, you know each and every one of those whom I am praying for. They are your children and you love them dearly. Provide for them and for their families. Provide in wonderful ways, for you are a God of miracles and the source of all goodness. Bring before them the right people and the right circumstances so that they can get the help they need and make best use of the gifts you have given them. Bless them generously, for out of your infinite richness you give and your treasures never end.

Lord God, look upon your children who are struggling with financial problems, look upon the person who is reading this prayer right now, and provide for their every need. Work in their lives in ways full of power, in ways that reveal your glory and love. For wherever you outpour your blessings, there is fulfillment and every good work is made complete.

Do not let your beloved struggle for too long, for you delight in being good and giving good gifts to those who seek you. Do not let anyone in need walk away from this prayer without fruit, without a positive change in their lives. Let their voices be heard. Let their faith be rewarded. Let their tears of frustration and sorrow turn to tears of gratitude and joy. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

AMEN

Jonah's Prayer

From the series "Bible Prayers" or "Famous Prayers in the Bible"

Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish. He said, "I cried out to the Lord in my great trouble, and he answered me. I called to you from the land of the dead, and Lord, you heard me! You threw me into the ocean depths, and I sank down to the heart of the sea. The mighty waters engulfed me; I was buried beneath your wild and stormy waves. Then I said, ‘O Lord, you have driven me from your presence. Yet I will look once more toward your holy Temple.’

“I sank beneath the waves, and the waters closed over me. Seaweed wrapped itself around my head. I sank down to the very roots of the mountains. I was imprisoned in the earth, whose gates lock shut forever. But you, O Lord my God, snatched me from the jaws of death! As my life was slipping away, I remembered the Lord. And my earnest prayer went out to you in your holy Temple. Those who worship false gods turn their backs on all God’s mercies. But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise, and I will fulfill all my vows. For my salvation comes from the Lord alone.”

Then the Lord ordered the fish to spit Jonah out onto the beach.

Jonah 2:1-10 (New Living Translation)