Good Morning Friends,
“Why?” My grandchildren ask that question constantly. It’s a teleology question—a question of purpose. Today’s lectionary passages draw us into the deepest “why” of all: Do our prayers align with God’s purpose? As I read Jesus’ prayer before the cross and Paul’s farewell before imprisonment, I’m struck by the servant‑hearted lives they lived and the confidence with which they approached the throne of grace.
Scripture (Summarized)
John 17:1–11a Jesus prays that the Father would glorify Him as He completes His saving work. He prays for His disciples—those the Father has given Him—that they would be protected, kept in God’s name, and united as one.
Acts 20:17–27 Paul reminds the Ephesian elders how he served with humility, suffering, and courage. He is going to Jerusalem, knowing hardship awaits, but determined to finish the ministry Jesus gave him. He declares he has faithfully proclaimed “the whole purpose of God.”
Romans 8:28 God works all things together toward His good and ultimate purpose for those who love Him.
Message: If Jesus prayed for our unity, we have not listened well. Even the first disciples struggled. And when we look at the world, we are more pathetic than we think and our disunity is painfully obvious.So, what is Jesus asking for? And what does Paul model?Both Jesus and Paul lived with a remote purpose—God’s ultimate goal—and let that purpose shape every moment. Jesus laid the groundwork for salvation. Paul poured himself out for the mission field. Both believed their lives would matter after they were gone.
Scripture pushes us to ask: How do we measure a life? Not by brain, beauty, brawn, or bucks, but by love, humility, and service. “When God measures a life, it is not by how many servants one has, but by how many people a person serves.”
Romans 8 reminds us that God’s purposes are often hidden. We see “through a glass darkly,” yet we know enough to trust that God is working toward a good we cannot yet see. Our prayers don’t change God, but they do change us. They align us with His remote purpose. Joseph’s story shows this beautifully: “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” The proximate and the remote can look opposite, yet God weaves them together.
And So, Jesus’ prayer is not only addressed to the Father—it is addressed to us. He is pleading with us to be one. Without love, there is no unity. With love, we can draw near to the throne of grace with confidence, learning to love as God loves.
Pray for the purpose knowing that our prayers have both immediate goals and ultimate goals—like a football team aiming for first downs, touchdowns, and the Super Bowl. Pray for humility, courage, compassion, endurance, and a willingness to run the course God sets before us. Pray that our lives glorify God and make a difference. Pray that we spend less time praying to be right and more time praying to be united. Pray for grace to love the difficult, for opportunities to serve collectively, and for lives that make people feel loved, wanted, believed in, and hoped for. Pray that Christ’s prayer for unity is answered in us. Pray that we remember: prayer is often God changing our thinking, helping us see that what He has already done is enough for now.
Blessings,
John Lawson
Daily Devotionals 