For whom did Jesus pray?  We have 29 references in the Gospels to Jesus’ prayer-life.  Of these references, we have 10 actual prayers Jesus prayed.  For whom did Jesus pray?  If we could look at his prayer list, who would be on it?

While it’s almost certain Jesus prayed for many others, we do know he prayed specifically for four groups of people:

We find Jesus praying for children: 15Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. (Mark 10:15-16 ESV)

We find Jesus praying for the apostles/disciples:

• 9I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours… Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one…15I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19And for their sake  I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.  (John 17:9-19 ESV).
• 31″Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. (Lk. 22: 31-32 ESV).
• 50Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.(Lk. 24:50-51 ESV).

We find Jesus praying for the church: 20″I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21that 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. 22The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.  (John 17:20-23 ESV).

And we find Jesus praying for his enemies: 34And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Lk. 23:34 ESV).

In other words we find Jesus praying for those who cannot speak for themselves, those with whom he’s engaged in mission and ministry, those who make his life difficult, and those around the world who would follow him.  The forgotten, his fellow-laborers, his foes, and his international family.

Which of these four show up on your prayer list?  Which do not?  Why?  Why not?

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Here is today’s prayer event: 13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.  (Mark 10:13-16 ESV)

To “bless” someone in Jesus’ day was a form of prayer.  It was a way of asking God to look favorably upon an individual.  Here, Jesus blesses or prayerfully intercedes for children.  And it’s no cold and stately blessing.  He takes them in his arms, lays his hands on them, and blesses them.  Can you imagine what it must have felt like for a child, having just been dismissed by Jesus’ disciples, to have Jesus pick you up, hold you, and bless you?

Look for opportunities today to pray prayers of blessings over people, especially over people who, like these children, may be forgotten or dismissed by others.  Bless your children, a friend, your spouse, your boss, your waitress, the janitor, your teacher, your parents, your neighbor, your mail carrier, or the man with the cardboard sign asking for money.  Utilize the following biblical blessings out loud or silently:

• The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. (Num. 6:24-26 ESV)
•  May the LORD give strength to you!  May the LORD bless you with peace! (based on Ps. 29:11 ESV)
•  May God be gracious to you and bless you and make his face to shine upon you, that His way may be known on earth, His saving power among all nations.  (based on Ps. 67:1-2 ESV)
•  May you be blessed by the LORD, who made heaven and earth! (Ps. 115:15 ESV)
•  The LORD bless you!  May you see the prosperity of his work all the days of your life!  May you live a long life!  Peace be upon you! (based on Ps. 128:5-6 ESV)
•  May the LORD bless you, he who made heaven and earth! (based on Ps. 134:3 ESV)

SHARE WITH READERS BELOW: WHO BLESSED YOU GROWING UP, OR WHO MIGHT YOU BLESS TODAY?

[image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jami_lee/2863262732/]

May no generation come to pass without our passing on to them your tales.

Their future lies in your past.

Their story begins in yours.

May HisStory be the next generation’s greatest inheritance, they they should set their hope in you.

[image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/2179143282/]

We have some 26 references in the Gospels to Jesus’ prayer-life.  Of these references, we have 10 actual prayers Jesus prayed.  For whom did Jesus pray?  If we could look at his prayer list, who would be on it?

While it’s almost certain Jesus prayed for many others, we do know he prayed specifically for four groups of people.

We find Jesus praying for children: 

• 15Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” 16And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. (Mark 10:15-16 ESV)

We find Jesus praying for the apostles/disciples:

• 9I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. 10All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. 11And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. 12While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19And for their sake  I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.  (John 17:9-19 ESV).
• 31″Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. (Lk. 22: 31-32 ESV).
• 50Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them. 51While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven.(Lk. 24:50-51 ESV).

We find Jesus praying for the church:

• 20″I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21that 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. 22The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.  (John 17:20-23 ESV).

And we find Jesus praying for his enemies:

• 34And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Lk. 23:34 ESV).

In other words we find Jesus praying for those who cannot speak for themselves, those with whom he’s engaged in mission and ministry, those who make his life difficult, and those around the world who would follow him.  The forgotten, his fellow-laborers, his foes, and his international family.

Which of these four show up on your prayer list?  Which do not?  Why?  Why not?

[image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/khrawlings/3408205998/]

5 year old girl: Uhm, are you the one who talks all the time, the one I see on the stage on Sunday, the one who preaches?

Me: Yes, I’m the preacher.

5 year old: Uhm, do you preach through the Bible in order?

Me: Do you mean do I preach Genesis, then Exodus, then Leviticus and all the way in order to Revelation?  No.  I jump around some.

5 year old: Uhm, I was wondering if you would preach my favorite Bible story on my birthday?

Me: Well, when is your birthday?

5 year old: May 2.  May 2 is a Sunday.

Me: May 2?  May 2, 2010?  That’s a long ways off.

5 year old: Yes, but would you preach my favorite Bible story on my birthday?

Me: What is your favorite Bible story?

5 year old: Uhm, I’ll be right back (she runs off and returns after a couple of minutes).

5 year old: OK, you can choose: the story of Jesus being born, or when Moses said, “Let my people Go!”

Me: Well, I can’t promise, but let me see what I can do.

I love it that she, like so many 5 year olds, was already thinking ahead to a birthday a long ways away and planning how to make the day a special day.  I love it that she felt comfortable enough to come and talk to her preacher and make this request.