Cultivating a Deeper Prayer Life - A Theology of Prayer

Study 29

Text: John 17

"O RIGHTEOUS FATHER…" John 17:25

Jesus began his prayer, addressing God as "Father" (John 17:1). Throughout His prayer, He displayed and maintained the closest sense of Father-Son relationship. John 17 truly reflects how a prayer should be uttered. The following things may be noted:-

There was trust.
There was depth.
There was intimacy.
There was boldness.
There was frankness.
There was profound simplicity.
There was a precious sense of urgency.
At all times, there was a deep sense of humility.
All pleas to God were made in the spirit of submission.
The strongest sense of relationship between Son and Father was maintained.

From time to time, Jesus would address His Father by name. Consider the following phrases...

"O Father..." John 17:5
"Holy Father..." John 17:11
"Father..." John 17:21, 24
"O righteous Father..." John 17:25

We are surely reminded and also challenged to cultivate our prayer life and to pattern it after the way Jesus prayed. How strong is our relationship with God as our Father? Every prayer should lead us to a closer relationship with God our Father.

"THE WORLD HAS NOT KNOWN YOU, BUT I HAVE KNOWN YOU…" John 17:25

How important is knowledge of God? Jesus' words remind us of the place of knowledge of God in our life.

The world has at best a general knowledge of God. This was not the kind of knowledge that Jesus spoke of here in prayer. The kind of knowledge that Jesus spoke of here was one of deep, personal understanding of God.

Let us consider the following passages in the Scriptures. Perhaps, they will help us comprehend the kind of knowledge that Jesus spoke of.

"Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,
Let not the mighty man glory in his might,
Nor let the rich man glory in his riches,
But let him who glories, glory in this
That he understands and knows me,
That I am the Lord,
Exercising lovingkindness,
Judgment and righteousness in the earth,
For in these I delight,
Says the Lord"
Jeremiah 9:23-24

Conversely, the lack of knowledge is disdained! The words of Hosea come readily to mind.

"Hear the word of the Lord,
You children of Israel,
For the Lord brings a charge
Against the inhabitants of the land:
There is no truth or mercy
Or knowledge of God in the land...

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge;
Because you have rejected knowledge
I also will reject you from being priest for me.
Because you have forgotten the law of your God
I also will forget your children..."
Hosea 4:1, 6

Jesus was right. The world has not really known God as Father. He knew Him as "Righteous Father." How deep is your knowledge of God?

Ignorance is not bliss. A lack of knowledge is a dangerous thing. It puts us at great risk. Let us be deeply challenged to cultivate our knowledge of God. Our prayer life improves significantly when we our knowledge of God deepens.

"AND THESE HAVE KNOWN THAT YOU SENT ME…" John 17:25

Jesus sought to impart many deep lessons of God to the multitudes. Sadly, they failed to appreciate what He sought to do. They did not appreciate the words that He gave to them concerning God the Father.

However, there were some who responded well to the teachings of Jesus. They became His faithful followers. They were known as Disciples. Jesus referred to them as people who had known God as the One who had sent Jesus to be the Saviour of the world. Their knowledge of Jesus was once described as a special act from God.

"Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah,
for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you,
but My Father who is heaven"
Matt. 16:17

Does not our heart long to know God our Father better? Let us bestir ourselves to know our Father in Heaven lots better than we do.

~ Pastor Charlie Tan ~