Andy invites us into the first movement of John 17, revealing the depth of His heart, mission, and fidelity to the Father’s will. Drawing from the imagery of a cluttered garage as a window into our lives, Andy walks us through how prayer opens us to God’s timing, character, and purpose. Jesus’ prayer is not one of escape, but alignment.
Key Takeaways:
1. Jesus prays in alignment with the Father’s timing. His prayer didn’t come from pressure or fear, but from a place of deep trust in God’s unfolding plan. Prayer begins when we recognize the moment we’re in.
2. Glory is about covenant love. When Jesus says, “Glorify your Son,” He’s not asking for status or escape. He’s asking that the Father’s character—His kavod (glory)—would be revealed through surrender, sacrifice, and love. The cross wasn’t defeat, it was the full weight of God’s fidelity love made visible.
3. Eternal life is knowing God now. Jesus defines eternal life not as something far off, but as intimate relationship: “that they would know You.” It’s less about life after death and more about living in the reality of God’s kingdom in the here and now, in the tension between what is and what’s coming.
4. Jesus doesn’t pray to escape—He prays to fulfill. When Jesus asks to be glorified as He was before, He’s not trying to return to heaven to avoid pain. He’s asking the Father to complete the mission and to reveal divine love through His life, death, and resurrection. His prayer is rooted in faithfulness, not avoidance.
5. Crafted prayer helps us align with God’s heart. Rather than rushing into spontaneous words, practice building “crafted prayers”—intentional, Spirit-led, and rooted in listening. This kind of prayer trains us to discern God’s voice, trust His timing, and partner with what He’s doing in and through us.
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