Does Jesus pray for us?
All throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus going to spend time with His Father in prayer (Luke 6:12; Mark 14:32; Matthew 26:36). Prayer is communication with God. While we don't know all the details of what Jesus prayed about, there are times when we get a glimpse into His prayer life. Jesus tells Peter that He has prayed for his faith to stay strong (Luke 22:32). In the High Priestly Prayer, Jesus prays "for those who will believe in me through their word" (John 17:20). This means that, as followers of Jesus, He does indeed pray for us!In the High Priestly Prayer, Jesus prays for many things: that we would know God, be guarded from worldliness, be unified in the Spirit, be full of joy, be protected from the evil one, be sanctified by the Word, that we would be witnesses in the world through our love for Christ, that we would be with Him in eternity and experience His love (John 17:1–26).
Since His ascension back into heaven, Jesus still prays for us. In fact, Hebrews 7:25 says that He "lives to make intercession" for those of us who draw near to God through Him. Jesus is our personal advocate before God the Father, the permanent propitiation for our sins. First John 2:1 reminds us that "we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." Jesus intercedes constantly on our behalf. What an incredible concept! The perfect Son of God is praying for us at all times.
Christ is our advocate and Satan is our accuser who showcases our sins before God (Revelation 12:10; Zechariah 3:1). We do not have to worry about this, though. Jesus has the true power to remove all condemnation and dark spots from our record: "Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us" (Romans 8:33–34).
We sin and make mistakes, but when we bring our sins to Christ we are forgiven and He advocates to God the Father on our behalf (1 John 1:9—2:2). Though our sins are like scarlet, meaning the guilt and blood is on our hands, He shall make them white as snow (see Isaiah 1:18). Jesus wipes our slate clean so that we may love and serve Him in true freedom through repentance.
Jesus is able to intercede for us with empathy, as He too lived on this earth and was tempted as we are. He is our great High Priest and through Him we have access to the Father: "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:14–16). Because Jesus is interceding for us, we can have full confidence that we can approach God and be met with mercy and grace.
What is Jesus' High Priestly Prayer?
How could Jesus pray to God if He is God? Was Jesus praying to Himself?
Why did God send Jesus when He did? What is the fullness of time?
What was the temple veil? What is the meaning of the temple veil being torn in two when Jesus died?
Is Jesus in heaven? Where is Jesus now?
Truth about Jesus Christ
