Praying for One Another

Spiritual friendships are absolutely critical to our faith development. There are so many challenges and setbacks in life that we simply cannot walk alone. When we enter into intentional spiritual friendships which center on supporting and encouraging one another, we can endure hardship and overcome obstacles in ways we could not on our own. Alone we are easy prey for the evil one, but when we stand together in faith we can be strong for each other and experience a deep connectedness to one another and to the Lord. We are designed to be in relationship with God and each other, and when relationships of trust, encouragement, and accountability thrive we deepen our faith in profound ways.

Jesus understood the need for relationships for his ministry and for the church. As he prepared to go to the cross he took time in prayer to lift up concerns for the disciples and their future.

I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. John 17:9-11

When Jesus discusses his earthly ministry he centers his work on the relationship he has with God and with the disciples. Jesus says he is “glorified in them” which implies that the work of Jesus (his life, death, and resurrection) is fundamentally connected to the relationships he has. Jesus could not be our Lord and Savior without God and without his disciples; we find our meaning and purpose in relationships.

Additionally, Jesus’ prayer expresses his deep and abiding concern for the disciples. He asks God to protect them and to help them continue in relationship with each other. As Jesus prepares to go to the cross he knows how tempting it will be for the disciples to go their own ways and not maintain their unity. Jesus’ prayer is that the relationships he helped establish between the disciples be maintained and strengthened. He knows that together they will be able to carry on Jesus’ ministry and start the church. On their own they will be easily dismissed, distracted, and dismayed.

Jesus’ prayer tells us that we are not meant to be alone. We must seek relationships with others for mutual support and encouragement. We must give and receive the prayers of others in order to fulfill God’s call on our lives. We cannot do it on our own but with God and the prayers of others all things are possible.