I Pray For Them

In John chapter 17 Jesus offers the great intercessory prayer. The words of Jesus Christ’s prayer read, in part: (9) I pray for them…. (15) I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil…. (19) And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. (20) Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; To me, this is Jesus Christ praying for me and for you. I find it very powerful and moving to read those words and imagine Him praying for me as I try my best to get through this life righteously. In verse 19, Jesus says that He sanctifies Himself that we might be sanctified. I think of His atonement which required His complete sanctification in order to overcome all things. And because of that, He offers me a way to become sanctified, too. In this painting there is a cool light shining on one side of Him, and a warm light hitting the other