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Imagine Jesus praying specifically for you.

His prayers in John 17 reveal a Kingdom-centric perspective—one focused on God's redemptive mission. These prayers inspire us to participate in His Kingdom work, inviting us to live intentionally for His glory. Let’s explore how these prayers guide us into action.

Jesus Prayed We Would Receive His Glory

God’s glory is His presence, radiating His power and majesty. Moses’ face shone after being with God (Exodus 34:29), and Isaiah cried, “Woe is me” in awe of God’s holiness (Isaiah 6:5). Experiencing His glory equips us to reflect His Kingdom.

Psalm 22:3 says God inhabits the praises of His people. The Japanese interpretation paints a vivid picture: our praise creates a throne for God, where He comes and reigns. Kingdom-centric living begins by welcoming God’s presence into every area of life.

Reflection: Are you intentionally making room for God’s presence in your daily life?

Tools for Reflecting His Glory:

• Cultivate a Lifestyle of Worship: Worship isn’t confined to Sunday services—it’s a daily choice to honor God through gratitude, prayer, and praise. Begin each day by acknowledging God’s greatness and inviting His presence into your life.
• Create Dedicated Spaces: Whether it’s a quiet corner of your home or a regular walk outdoors, establish a space where you can focus on connecting with God. These spaces help nurture consistency in experiencing His presence.
• Live Out Kingdom Values: Reflect God’s love, mercy, and justice in your daily interactions. Let your actions consistently point others toward His glory.
• Engage in Public Worship: This means being ready to bring God’s presence into public spaces in meaningful ways. For example, be open to praying for someone in need, offering words of encouragement, or speaking hope and life in ways that resonate beyond “Christian vocabulary.” These acts of love and connection testify to God’s Kingdom at work in everyday life and invite others to encounter His transformative power.
• Share Testimonies: Be intentional about sharing how God has worked in your life. Your story of transformation is a powerful way to glorify God and inspire others.

Challenge: This week, find a way to engage in public worship—whether through an open expression of gratitude, prayer, or sharing a testimony. Let others see and be drawn to His glory.

Jesus Prayed We Would Know His Word

Samuel’s story reminds us of growth, both spiritually and physically. Samuel was a young boy dedicated to the Lord by his mother, Hannah, in fulfillment of a vow she made before God. After years of childlessness, Hannah prayed earnestly for a son, promising to give him back to the Lord’s service if her prayer was answered. God blessed her with Samuel, and true to her word, she brought him to live at the temple under the care of Eli, the priest (1 Samuel 1:27-28).

Each year, Hannah visited Samuel and brought him a new coat. This coat wasn’t just practical; it symbolized Samuel’s growth and her continued love and faithfulness. Samuel grew up in the presence of God, ministering at the temple and learning to hear God’s voice. One of the most famous moments of his life occurred when, as a young boy, he heard God calling him in the night. Guided by Eli, Samuel responded, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening" (1 Samuel 3:10).

Samuel’s story reminds us of the importance of growing in God’s Word and being attentive to His voice. Just as Hannah ensured Samuel had what he needed to thrive, we must ensure we are actively growing and nurturing our relationship with God.

Kingdom work requires us to not only know the Word but to embody it, reflecting God’s promises and commands.

Tools for Growing in His Word:

• Kingdom Lens Reading: Approach Scripture as a story of God’s redemptive plan, asking how you can participate in His mission.
• Share Insights: Regularly discuss what you’re learning with others to deepen mutual understanding.
• Practical Application: Choose a specific verse to live out each week.
• Commit to Memory: Focus on verses that emphasize God’s Kingdom purposes.
• Explore Biblical Justice: Study passages addressing societal restoration and reconciliation.
  
  

Goal: Integrate God’s Word into every decision and interaction, using it as your guide for advancing His Kingdom.

Challenge: Choose one Bible story this week to study through a Kingdom-centric perspective, focusing on how it reveals God’s mission.

Jesus Prayed We Would Be United in Love

Unity is central to advancing God’s Kingdom.

When the Red River in the Dakota states overflowed, fences disappeared, creating one seamless landscape. Similarly, God’s Spirit erases divisions.

Tragically, division has devastating consequences. In the vast Canadian wheat fields, a young couple brought their son along as they worked, but at some point, they realized he was missing. Each parent assumed the other had him, and panic set in as the bitter cold of the prairie night began to fall. Frantically, they searched the fields on their own, but they couldn’t find him. Time passed, and desperation grew. Finally, someone suggested they gather a search party and join hands to sweep the fields together. As they formed a human chain, they systematically combed the area. After what felt like an eternity, a cry rang out—“I found him!” But heartbreakingly, it was too late. The child had succumbed to the freezing temperatures. Overwhelmed with grief, someone lamented, “If only we had joined hands sooner.”

This tragedy is a powerful reminder that unity is not optional or something to delay. Jesus’ prayer for unity urges us to act now, recognizing that lives—both physical and spiritual—depend on our willingness to come together.

Encouragement: Kingdom unity requires us to set aside personal agendas and embrace shared purpose.

Tools for Building Kingdom Unity:

• Pray for a Kingdom Heart: Ask God to align your desires with His will.
• Engage in Reconciliation: Seek to heal broken relationships as a testimony of God’s love.
• Collaborate on Mission: Partner with others in tangible acts of service.
• Celebrate Differences: Honor the diversity in God’s Kingdom as a strength.
• Lead by Example: Demonstrate humility and selflessness to inspire others.

Challenge: This week, reach out to someone you’ve had conflict with and take the first step toward reconciliation.

Jesus Prayed We Would Reach the World with the Gospel

Jesus didn’t just save us; He recruited us for His mission. The Gospel calls us to advance His Kingdom, restoring creation to reflect God’s rule.

The Greek word for “go” in Matthew 28:19, “poreuomai,” implies ongoing movement—a lifestyle of bringing God’s reign into every sphere of influence. The Kingdom message is holistic: it transforms hearts and systems alike.

Tools for a Kingdom-Centric Gospel:

• Model Kingdom Life: Let your actions demonstrate God’s transformative power.
• Communicate Hope: Share how the Gospel restores not only individuals but communities.
• Engage the Marginalized: Bring the Good News to those overlooked by society.
• Invest in Discipleship: Mentor others to live missionally.
• Expand Your Reach: Use platforms and relationships to proclaim God’s Kingdom broadly.
  
  

Challenge: Reflect on where God has placed you. Identify one way to make His Kingdom known in that space this week.

Goal: Invite others to join God’s redemptive mission, showing them the Gospel’s power to heal and transform.

Jesus Prayed We Would Experience His Joy

Joy is essential to Kingdom living. Isaiah 12:3 declares, “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”

The missionary, Adoniram Judson, known as “Mr. Glory-Face,” reflected joy even amidst trials because his focus remained on Christ’s Kingdom.

When Adoniram Judson first encountered a local tribe in Burma, he was filled with joy despite the immense challenges ahead. Unable to speak their language fluently, Judson approached a villager with a radiant smile and warmly greeted him. The villager, struck by Judson’s glowing countenance and sincere demeanor, ran back to his tribe, exclaiming that he had seen an angel. Judson’s face shone with such visible joy that the tribe nicknamed him “Mr. Glory-Face.” This initial encounter opened the door for deeper connections, as the tribe became curious about the source of his radiance—leading to opportunities to share the Gospel and introduce them to the transformative power of Christ’s Kingdom.

Reflection: Are you drawing joy from advancing God’s mission?

Tools for Kingdom Joy:

• Celebrate Victories: Rejoice in the ways God’s Kingdom is advancing.
• Choose Gratitude: Focus on what God is doing, even in challenges.
• Encourage Others: Spread joy by uplifting those around you.
• Rest in His Sovereignty: Find peace in knowing God’s plans are unfolding.
• Live Expectantly: Anticipate God’s work with hope and excitement.
  
  

Challenge: Begin and end each day this week reflecting on one thing God has done that brings you joy.

The Importance of Prayer
Prayer fuels the Kingdom. Jesus’ prayers in John 17 remind us to:

• Seek His Glory: Live in His presence daily.
• Grow in His Word: Anchor yourself in Scripture.
• Pursue Unity: Collaborate for His mission.
• Advance the Gospel: Proclaim His reign.
• Embrace Joy: Let Kingdom work bring fulfillment.
  
  

Prayer
Lord, thank You for inviting us into Your mission. Help us to reflect Your glory, grow in Your Word, pursue unity, share the Gospel, and experience joy. Empower us to live for Your Kingdom, advancing Your purposes in all we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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