John 17 records Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer, offered just before His arrest. He prays for His disciples to be protected, sanctified in God’s truth, and faithful to their mission, then extends His prayer to all future believers. Jesus’ greatest desire is that His followers be united in the same love and truth shared between the Father and the Son. This Spirit-filled unity becomes a powerful witness to the world that Jesus is the Savior. As believers, we are called to pursue holiness, protect unity, and reflect Christ’s love through lives marked by humility, forgiveness, and peace.

 

Put It into Practice: Choose unity over preference. In a situation where you could insist on your own way, practice humility and seek what strengthens relationships and advances God’s mission rather than personal preference.

 

Day 1 John 17:1-5

Reflect: How does Jesus redefine what “glory” looks like, particularly given that the cross is just hours away? Why does Jesus define eternal life relationally, not as a future destination or length of time? 

Apply: How can you glorify God in the specific tasks and “work” He has entrusted to you? How have you spoken about and envisioned eternal life? How has it changed your view of your temporal life? 

Pray: Father, above all else, let my life bring glory to You. In every decision, every trial, and every success, let the focus never be on my own name or reputation, but on revealing who You are.

 

Day 2 John 17:6-12

Reflect: How do you think the disciples felt when they heard Jesus praying for them? Do they have a part in helping the prayer to be answered? What does Jesus’ intercession teach us about prayer?  

Apply: How does it encourage you to know that Jesus was—and still is—praying on your behalf? What do the words of His prayer here tell you about the kind of relationship He wants with you? 

Pray: Lord Jesus, I thank You that since I am Yours I am not lost, for You hold me fast in Your hand. In moments of doubt, fear, or spiritual battle, anchor my heart in the security of Your protection.

 

Day 3 John 17:13-19 

Reflect: What is Jesus teaching them (and us) in v. 15? What is the danger in either completely isolating yourself from the world or entirely blending in with it? What does the truth do for believers?

Apply: Do you more often pray “keep me (or others) from suffering” or “keep me (or them) through suffering? How does the Word of God actively shape and change the way you live your daily life?

Pray: God, You have placed me in this world but I am not of it. I ask for Your divine protection. Guard my heart, mind and spirit from the lies of the enemy and keep me steadfast when the world crowds in.

 

Day 4 John 17:20-25

Reflect: Why do you think Jesus focuses on unity in His prayer for future believers? How does the type of unity Jesus speaks of here differ from mere human agreement or organizational uniformity? 

Apply: How do you see your role in pursuing unity of believers? How does reflecting on the eternal, unbreakable love between the Father and Son (v. 24) shape your own identity and self-worth?

Pray: Jesus, When I struggle with feelings of unworthiness or insecurity, anchor my soul in the truth that Your love for me is not a sudden thought, but a love designed before time began. 

 

Day 5 1 John 1:1-4 

Reflect: How do these words of John line up with Jesus’ prayer in John 17? How would you define “fellowship” in a modern context? Does this definition differ from what John describes in v. 3?

Apply: Do you feel your faith currently reflects the “complete joy” mentioned in v. 4? What distracts or takes away from this joy? How would your testimony about Jesus be different if you truly had this joy?

Pray: Heavenly Father, John wrote these things so that our joy may be complete. Lord, let the truth of who Jesus is and the fellowship I share with You fill my soul to overflowing with Your divine joy—a joy that circumstances cannot shake and the world cannot take away.