Praying with Purpose: Glorifying God and Seeking Unity
Summary
Sometimes, approaching God in prayer can feel awkward—whether you’re new to faith or have been following Jesus for years. There’s a tension between God’s holiness and our own flaws, and yet, Jesus invites us to come boldly, but with reverence, before the Father. In John 17, Jesus models a prayer that is both intimate and profound, praying not only for His disciples but for all who would believe through their message—including us today.
Jesus begins by asking the Father to glorify Him so that He, in turn, can glorify the Father. To glorify God is not about empty words or superficial celebration; it’s about spotlighting God’s worth, displaying His character, and carrying the weight of His presence in our lives. When we reflect God’s righteousness, compassion, and faithfulness, we magnify His greatness to the world around us.
Jesus then prays for the protection of His followers—not just physical safety, but spiritual protection from the evil one. He knows the world is hostile to those who follow Him, and He asks the Father to keep His people unified and filled with joy, even in the midst of trials. This unity is not uniformity, but a deep, spiritual oneness rooted in God’s love and truth.
Sanctification is another key theme. Jesus asks the Father to sanctify His followers by the truth of His word. To be sanctified is to be set apart, purified, and made holy for God’s purposes. Like a blacksmith refining metal, God shapes and molds us through His word and Spirit, making us useful tools for His kingdom.
Finally, Jesus prays for unity among all believers—a unity that mirrors the relationship between the Father and the Son. This unity is a powerful testimony to the world of God’s love and the truth of the gospel. When we love one another, protect one another, and remain unified in Christ, we reveal the Father to those around us.
As we pray, let’s follow Jesus’ example: pray for God’s glory to be revealed in us, for protection and unity among believers, for purity and sanctification, and for a love that draws others to Christ. These prayers move us beyond awkwardness and into the heart of God’s will for His people.
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Key Takeaways
- Glorifying God Means Spotlighting His Worth and Character
To glorify God is to put the spotlight on His infinite worth and to display His character through our lives. This is not about empty praise or superficial celebration, but about living in such a way that others see God’s righteousness, compassion, and faithfulness reflected in us. The weight of God’s glory should shape our prayers and our actions, calling us to a deeper reverence and awe. [07:24]
- Protection in Prayer Is Both Spiritual and Communal
Jesus prays for the protection of His followers—not just from physical harm, but from the spiritual dangers that threaten to divide and destroy. This protection is closely tied to unity; as we stand together, supporting and encouraging one another, we become less vulnerable to the schemes of the evil one. Praying for protection is an act of entrusting ourselves and our community to God’s powerful name. [15:58]
- Sanctification Is a Lifelong Process of Being Set Apart
To be sanctified is to be set apart for God’s purposes, purified by His truth, and made holy through His word. Like a blacksmith refining metal, God uses His word and Spirit to shape us into useful instruments for His kingdom. This process requires our willingness to be molded, purified, and dedicated to God’s noble purposes, even in the ordinary moments of life. [23:53]
- Unity Among Believers Is a Testimony to the World
Jesus’ prayer for unity is not about sameness, but about a deep, spiritual oneness rooted in the love of the Father and the Son. This unity is a powerful witness to the world, demonstrating that Jesus was sent by God and that God’s love is real and transformative. Our unity in Christ—across differences and preferences—reveals the truth of the gospel to those who are watching. [29:28]
- Loving One Another Reveals the Father’s Heart
When we love one another as Christ has loved us, we make the Father’s love visible to the world. This love is not just a feeling, but an active commitment to protect, encourage, and serve each other. In doing so, we glorify God, fulfill Jesus’ prayer, and invite others to experience the love that has transformed us. [33:57]
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Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Awkward Conversations and Approaching God
[03:47] - The Challenge and Awe of Prayer
[05:13] - Jesus’ Prayer: Glorify Your Son
[06:13] - What Does It Mean to Glorify God?
[07:24] - Spotlighting God’s Worth and Character
[08:39] - Reflecting God’s Character in Our Lives
[09:28] - The Weight of Glory
[10:41] - Praying for God’s Glory in Us
[12:11] - Jesus’ Faithfulness and Coming Suffering
[13:40] - Jesus Prays for His Disciples
[15:17] - Praying for Protection and Joy
[18:48] - The Purpose of Protection: Unity and Joy
[20:49] - Protection from the Evil One
[22:23] - Sanctification: Set Apart for God
[23:53] - The Process of Sanctification
[26:01] - Transformation by God’s Word
[29:28] - Praying for Unity Among Believers
[30:47] - The Testimony of Unity and Love
[33:57] - Revealing the Father Through Love
[35:21] - Praying for the Church
[37:03] - Closing and Next Steps
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Praying Like Jesus (John 17)
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### Bible Reading
- John 17:1-26 (Jesus’ prayer for Himself, His disciples, and all believers)
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### Observation Questions
1. In John 17, what are the main things Jesus prays for concerning Himself, His disciples, and future believers?
2. According to Jesus’ prayer, what does it mean for God to be “glorified” through Jesus and His followers? ([07:24])
3. What specific requests does Jesus make for the protection of His followers? ([15:17])
4. How does Jesus describe the unity He desires for His followers? What is it compared to? ([29:28])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Jesus connect glorifying God with displaying God’s character in our lives, rather than just using words or celebrations? ([08:39])
2. Jesus prays for protection from the evil one, not just for physical safety but for spiritual unity and joy. Why do you think spiritual protection and unity are so closely linked? ([18:48])
3. What does it mean to be “sanctified by the truth” and how does God’s Word play a role in that process? ([23:53])
4. Jesus says that unity among believers is a testimony to the world. How might unity (or lack of it) affect how others see God and the gospel? ([30:47])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon talked about the awkwardness of approaching God in prayer, especially when we’re aware of our flaws. When was the last time you felt awkward or hesitant to pray? What helped you move past that? ([01:58])
2. Jesus prayed for God’s glory to be revealed in Him and in us. What is one area of your life where you could “spotlight” God’s character this week—at work, at home, or with friends? ([10:41])
3. Think about someone in your life who needs protection—spiritually, emotionally, or physically. How can you pray for them specifically, and is there a way you can support them practically? ([15:58])
4. The sermon described sanctification as a process, like a blacksmith refining metal. Is there an area in your life where you sense God is “refining” you right now? How can you cooperate with Him in that process? ([26:01])
5. Jesus prayed for unity, not uniformity. Is there someone in the church or your life you find it hard to be “one” with? What is one step you could take to move toward unity with them? ([18:48])
6. The sermon said loving one another reveals the Father’s heart. What is a practical way you can show active love to another believer this week—especially someone you don’t usually connect with? ([33:57])
7. When you pray, do you tend to focus more on your own needs or on God’s glory, unity, and the needs of others? What is one way you could shift your prayers this week to follow Jesus’ example in John 17? ([35:21])
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Close in prayer, asking God to help your group glorify Him, protect and unify one another, grow in holiness, and love each other as Jesus prayed.
Devotional
Day 1: Glorifying God by Spotlighting His Worth
To glorify God is to put the spotlight on His infinite worth and value, not just with words or empty celebration, but by truly recognizing who He is and what He has done. Jesus, in His prayer, asks the Father to glorify Him so that He may glorify the Father, highlighting a reciprocal relationship of honor and purpose. When we consider the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we are reminded of the immeasurable value of Christ and the call to magnify His greatness in our lives. Glorifying God means letting His character and worth shine through us, so that others may see and know Him. [07:24]
John 17:1-5 (ESV)
When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.”
Reflection: In what specific way can you spotlight God’s worth and character in your actions or words today, so that someone else might see His greatness through you?
Day 2: Praying for God’s Protection Over His People
Jesus prays for the protection of His followers, asking the Father to keep them safe by the power of His name. This protection is not just physical, but spiritual—guarding hearts and minds from the evil one and from anything that would pull them away from God. Jesus’ care for His disciples is a model for us to pray for one another, entrusting those we love into God’s hands and seeking His covering over their lives. As we pray for protection, we acknowledge that we belong to God and that He values and watches over us with deep love. [17:53]
John 17:11-12, 15 (ESV)
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... I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.
Reflection: Who is someone in your life you can specifically pray God’s protection over today, and how might you let them know you are praying for them?
Day 3: Pursuing Unity Among Believers
Unity is at the heart of Jesus’ prayer for His followers. He asks the Father to make them one, just as He and the Father are one, so that the world may believe in Him. This unity is not about uniformity in preferences or opinions, but about being united in purpose, love, and focus on God. When believers are unified, it becomes a powerful testimony to the world of God’s love and the truth of the gospel. Unity requires intentional effort—protecting one another, encouraging each other, and keeping Christ at the center of all we do. [20:18]
John 17:20-23 (ESV)
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that 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. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I 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.”
Reflection: Is there a relationship in your church or Christian community where you need to pursue unity or reconciliation? What is one step you can take today toward that unity?
Day 4: Being Set Apart and Purified by God’s Truth
Jesus prays that His followers would be sanctified—set apart, purified, and made holy by the truth of God’s word. Sanctification is a process, much like a blacksmith refining and shaping metal for a noble purpose. As we immerse ourselves in Scripture and allow God’s truth to transform us, we are molded into vessels that reflect His character and are useful for His purposes. This call to holiness is not about being perfect, but about being dedicated to God and allowing Him to purify our hearts and minds daily. [24:44]
John 17:17-19 (ESV)
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need God’s truth to purify your thoughts, motives, or actions today? How can you invite Him to do that work?
Day 5: Making the Father’s Love Known
The love of the Father is meant to be made known through us, both to fellow believers and to those who are lost. Jesus prays that the love the Father has for Him would be in us, and that we would love one another deeply. This love is not just a feeling, but an active choice to care, encourage, forgive, and reach out—especially to those who do not yet know Christ. When we love as the Father loves, we reveal His heart to the world and draw others into relationship with Him. [33:57]
1 John 4:11-12 (ESV)
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
Reflection: Who is someone outside your usual circle that you can show God’s love to today, either through a word, a prayer, or an act of kindness?
Quotes
And yet we need to put back the awe so that for those of us who have been joining us for a long time, so that there is once more a reverence, once more a holiness, once more a deep fear of approaching the King of Kings, Lord of Lords. And for those of you who are new to the faith, those of you who really haven't, you don't know the difference between Mark and Mo...Give me another M word. Matthew. Mark and Matthew. Or some Old Testament saint. Yeah, Moses and Malachi. You don't know the difference between...in any of those. And you're going, I'm supposed to pray? What do I pray? And how do I pray? How does that work? And so, you know, prayer, sometimes it should be awkward. [00:03:21] (44 seconds)
Are you praying for God to be glorified in and through you so that people see you, they see the character of God?Or are you just praying for, you know, your ingrown toenail, which is okay. And everybody has, well, some people have some every now and then, right? Right? Are you praying for these little things? Oh, my neighbor's grass is too brown. I wish they would really turn their grass green. Are you praying for that? Are you praying that your neighbor would see the glory of God in your actions, your attitudes, your movements, and your words? [00:10:46] (35 seconds)
Jesus' request, glorify your son that he may spotlight God's goodness.Glorify the son that the father could be seen in him. Glorify the son so that others would have a better vision of who God is. Glorify the son so that the weight of his glory could be revealed in and through him. Oh, what a great prayer Jesus starts out with. [00:11:21] (28 seconds)
Protect them so that there is a unity in that spirit, a unity in the body. So that one, there is one faction over there and one faction over here, one faction up there, one faction down there. May they all be focused in on you, God, and on you alone. May they be one as we are one. What a great prayer. Protect them so that they may have the full measure of joy.Not just some joy, but that deep inward sense that even though there's chaos going around, there's a deep sense of joy. They know the joy of the Lord. [00:19:19] (35 seconds)
Sanctified has a great meaning about it. It means to set apart for God's purpose. It means to dedicate something as sacred. It means to purify or to make holy. In the old Jewish days, they had a temple.And when Moses was building the tabernacle, Moses had the tabernacle, he had to sanctify, set apart, make holy. But there are some articles within the temple. There's the Ark of the Covenant, and there's the pillars, and all of these things they made physically.And then they had to dedicate them. They had to sanctify them. They had to say, these cups, these dishes, these tools, that Ark are set apart only, only for God. They're not common. They're not ordinary. They're not normal. They're extraordinary.These things are set apart as holy unto the Lord. [00:23:06] (51 seconds)
Jesus is praying for each one of you to be sanctified.Each one of you to be set apart, purified for his noble, righteous, trustworthy, and true purpose. Sanctify them.Imagine you're in your time of prayer.And rather, I heard on Friday nights the young adults were talking about prayer and talking about what to pray for. Imagine you're praying, God, purify me so that I can be used for noble purpose. Because, God, you are holy.you are noble, you are righteous, and therefore I want to be used by a noble, righteous person, creator, almighty God, today. Sanctify, purify my followers. [00:24:07] (51 seconds)
The word of God is a thing that transforms. Romans 12, 2 says, do not conform to the pattern of this world.In other words, there is a worldly pattern that you can follow. It's a pretty wide, it's a pretty bold, it's a pretty big pattern. You can follow that pattern if you want.The Apostle Paul says, don't. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is, his good, pleasing will. [00:25:45] (31 seconds)
See, we are perfected for the purpose to be made into the image of what God wanted us to make. Sanctify us. It's all a process so that we can get to know and we can continue to glorify God.Three things he's prayed for so far. Glorify God. Protect his followers. Purify, sanctify his followers. And then he's praying last for unity. [00:29:01] (27 seconds)
So that unity and love for one another it is a testimony to the world that jesus is god's only begotten son that jesus christ was sent into the world that god loved the world loved us so much so much that he sent his son and we need to be unified on that gospel message unified on preaching and proclaiming jesus christ on loving one another on encouraging one another on spotlighting the father above anything and everyone else so he prays father amongst the disciples and amongst those that are going to believe in the disciples message unify them [00:31:28] (53 seconds)
Imagine protecting every church member's reputation by what you say about them, by what you, how you communicate about your fellow believers to others. You're protecting them. You're protecting them when you come alongside and someone says something about, wait, wait, that person, wow, they're a member of my church.You got to come alongside them, encourage them, support them. You protect them. You glorify the Father when you make the Father's love known.And the Father loves, he loves seeing people fall in love with Jesus.He loves it when you come in in the morning and you sing the songs and yeah, we clap all over the place. And I'm the leader of not being able to keep a beat. When we sing off tune, when you're playing an F plus instead of an A minus, where's Edgar? I don't even know what that was, right? And you know, he just loves all of that because you're really focusing in on the Father. [00:33:28] (58 seconds)
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