READ: John 17:1-20
Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. – John 17:11b
In the address of “Father”, Jesus teaches us two more things. God is Father “in heaven”, and not only my Father but “our” Father. Jesus also mentions both things in His own high priestly prayer in John 17. In that prayer, He dedicates the disciples and us as His children to God the Father, lifting His eyes to heaven. Jesus demonstrates the omnipotence of God the Father in verses 1-5 when He asks the Father to glorify Him after His finished suffering.
In verse 11b, Jesus invokes God as “holy Father.” Here, too, Christ recognizes God as the God who dwells in the highest heavens on His high and exalted throne (Isa. 6:1-3). There the angels sing “holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.” Thus is meant the claim of our Father “who is in heaven”.
The Lord Jesus also teaches us to share with others that God is “our Father.” Here, others refers to other believers. In John 17, these are those whom God has given Him (Jesus), who have received God’s words, and who have believed in Him (verses 6-9). They are in this sinful world, but not of this world. For them, Jesus prays that God the Father will keep them safe in this world.
“In God’s name” means: by the truth of God’s Word. Jesus also asks that they may be one in the truth, and thus in the communion of the Father and the Son. That unity is both a gift and a task. This is echoed in “our” Father: we pray in communion with the one catholic church of Christ for all common needs.
Does the church have a place in your prayer?
Singing: Ps. 62: 1