After leaving the upper room, while on the way to the Garden of Gethsemene at the Mount of Olives, Jesus speaks some of his most memorable and meaningful words.

In John 15, Jesus reminds us that He is the vine and we are the branches, that we need to remain in Him for apart from Him we can do nothing.

After this, maybe because we have the tendency to stray when we face challenges, Jesus tells the disciples that the world will hate them just as they hate Him.

And how will they, how will we, remain in Him?  Jesus tells the disciples it is for their good that He goes away because He will give us his Spirit, who will guide them into the truth.  Through the Spirit in us, we can remain in Him

Maybe they stopped along the way, or just talked as they walked, but before crossing the Kidron Valley over to the Garden, Jesus prays for His disciples and for us.  Everything Jesus has told His disciples in the upper room and on the walk to the Garden, He now prays for the Father to accomplish in their lives.

I make a habit of praying for those I will teach before I speak, while I’m preparing, asking the Father to give me words and to use my words as I teach.  But how often do I pray for those I have just taught, that the Father will take his Word and bring about the transformation I’ve invited people to pursue?

My work as a teacher isn’t done when I step off the platform.  That’s when the real work begins. Spirit of God, drive home your truth.  Change hearts.  Change lives.

I want to pray like Jesus…  after I preach!

To learn more about Walking As Jesus Walked and Discipling As Jesus Discipled, visit:  SONLIFE.COM