Prayer changes things

"And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them."

-- John 17:26

John records this intimate prayer between Jesus and the Father as the hour of the Christ's greatest trial rapidly approaches.

While this chapter gives amazing insight into the relationship between God the Father and God the Son, something more striking emerges.

When faced with a trial, do you focus your prayers on the Lord getting you through the trial? I know I do.

Jesus, after praying briefly for Himself, turns his attention on His disciples. And then He prays for those that would believe in Him in the future.

His prayers turned toward others, and not only that, but that others would come to a belief in Him.

He knew, well in advance, that His trial would ultimately bring about the salvation of many. He'd set aside His life so that we could live. That's an incredible thing.

Romans 8:28 states "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."

The natural assumption -- at least mine -- has always been that God works all things together for my good.

To a certain extent, that is true, but it drastically skews the scope of the verse. It says He works all things together for those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

God will indeed see us through our trials, but we can't miss the idea that our trials also serve the body of Christ -- both present and future.

What happens to us isn't about us at all. It's about Him, and what He wants to do through our lives.

Jesus knew He would ultimately overcome His trial -- death. He knew more so that His trial served an ultimate purpose -- eternal life.

What can others see about God through our trials? How can God be glorified through our trials? How can an unsaved world be drawn toward Him through what happens in our lives?

These are hard, but appropriate, questions to ask of God while praying over situations that arise. He is ready, and willing, to answer them -- but we have to listen with patience.

Prayer is commonly, and inaccurately, seen as a means toward our intended-resolution.

True resolution, I'm learning more every day, is found through seeking the revelation of His will through prayer. It truly changes everything.

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"Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me, nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done." Luke 22:42