John 17  This prayer is truly the Lord's prayer..  a prayer that reveals His heart for the Father and His heart for us who believe in Him. 

The first thing that Jesus prays for at this final hour is that the Father would glorify Him so that He could glorify the Father.  Jesus said in verse 4 that He glorified  the Father on the earth, "having accomplished the work which" He gave Him to do. For that glory to be made manifest to us the Father gave the Son authority over all mankind. He gave the Son the authority to give eternal life.. "And this is eternal life, that they may know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent." ( v3).  This is the work that Jesus came to do and this work glorified the Father. 

This glory that Jesus desires is found in the unity that He has with the Father.. a unity that He had before "the world was".  Jesus gives this glory to all who believe on Him. It is a glory found in "oneness" with the Father and the Son.

Jesus prays for the Father to guard His disciples. He prays that the Father would "keep them from the evil one."  He prays that they might be "sanctified in truth."  He prays for all those that come to believe through the word of the disciples would also be made one with the Father and the Son.  He prayed that the message of Christ, sent from the Father, would be heard and believed.  He prayed that those who believe would be "perfected in unity".  He prayed that through those who believe that the "world" would come to know Him.. that all would know the love of the Father who sent Him. 

"O righteous Father, although the world has not known Thee, yet I have known Thee; and these have known that Thou didst send Me; and I have made Thy name known to them, and will make it known; that the love wherewith Thou didst love Me may be in them and I in them." 

Father in heaven, we have come to know You through the Word.. the Living Word who became flesh and dwelt on this earth. His Words have brought us, by faith, into the blessed unity with You.  We are made new in Christ Jesus. We are Yours and You are our God and Father. Fill us with Your Spirit and keep us in that oneness of love and glory through Jesus Christ the Son.  You have given us to Him and we will not be forsaken. You are righteous and faithful always. Your compassions never fail. We give You praise and thanksgiving. May Your Name be glorified in us always we pray. Amen.