John 16   Verse 1 " These things I have spoken to you, that you may be kept from stumbling." 
The time is coming for persecution and tribulation.  Like the disciples, we face opposition and the assault on Christianity.  We also need the Words of Jesus to keep us from being trapped and tripped up.  We also want to stand firm in Christ.  We need to remember the things that Jesus told His disciples on that last day before He was crucified, to remember that:

The world will hate us because it hates Christ.
We are not of the world, but were chosen out of the world.
We are not greater than our master, so we will face the same kind of opposition that He did.
We are meant to bear witness of Him.
The Spirit of Truth comes to help us.

4 times in this dialogue with His disciples, Jesus talks about prayer:

John 14:13-14 " And whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.   If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it."  ( prayer in the context of unity with the Father)

15:7-8  " If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall be done for you. By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples."
 ( prayer in the context of dependence on the Vine and bearing fruit)

15:16  " You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He may give you." ( prayer in the context of the Lord's command to love one another.)

16:23-24 " And in that day you will ask Me no question.  Truly, truly, I say to you, if you shall ask the Father for anything, He will give it to you in My name.  Until now you have asked nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, that your joy may be made full." ( Prayer in the context of His death and resurrection)

When we pray in the Name of Jesus - the Father is glorified; we will bear much fruit;  the fruit will be eternal; and our joy will be full!!

Remember these things, Jesus tells us, for tribulation is in the world.  We see that truth in the headlines of our daily news.... and we need to cling to the Truth - we have a joy that none can take away; we have a peace that rests on the fact that our Savior has overcome the world; and we have  been given a Helper Who will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgement. He will guide us into the Truth and remind us of all that Christ has said.


Father in Heaven, how we bless You and exalt Your Name!  You are worthy of all our praise and worship!  Thank You for the Kingdom of God has come and is being expanded in spite of the opposition of the world; for Jesus Christ has overcome the world.  May Your perfect will, that which is good and acceptable and perfect be done on earth as it is in heaven.  We need You Lord, teach us to pray in Your Name, so that the Father is glorified in You, Jesus. May we pray for Your priorities - for fruit that is eternal; for the things that will fill us with joy - for lives forever changed by the power of Your great Love.  Bring us into unity with Yourself, for we do ask this in the Name of Jesus. Amen.