“I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. And 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. While 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” (Jn. 17:9-12 ESV).
These lines are part of a prayer which Jesus lifts on behalf of his disciples. Here, what Jesus has been doing (“I have kept them in your name”) he now asks the Father to do (“keep them in your name”). As the disciples have prepared for their mission, Jesus has kept them, guarded them, and protected them. Now, as the disciples pursue their mission, Jesus asks the Father to keep them, guard them, and protect them. Jesus places them in the protective custody of the Father so they may engage fully in ministry.
Think of the names of people or organizations who are involved heavily in ministry, Christian charity, or Christian education. Spend this day in constant prayer for them, asking the Father to keep them, protect them, and guard them.
Consider the elders, staff, deacons and ministry leaders at Highland who pursue their ministries with such passion. As the Father to keep them, protect them, and guard them.
