This chapter is a prayer, it is the Lord’s prayer, the Lord Christ’s prayer. There was one Lord’s prayer which he taught us to pray, and did not pray himself, for he needed not to pray for the forgiveness of sin; but this was properly and peculiarly his, and suited him only as a Mediator, and is a…

Here we have, I. The circumstances of this prayer, John 17:1. Many a solemn prayer Christ made in the days of his flesh (sometimes he continued all night in prayer), but none of his prayers are recorded so fully as this. Observe, 1.

Christ, having prayed for himself, comes next to pray for those that are his, and he knew them by name, though he did not here name them. Now observe here, I. Whom he did not pray for : I pray not for the world. Note, There is a world of people that Jesus Christ did not pray for.

After the general pleas with which Christ recommended his disciples to his Father’s care follow the particular petitions he puts up for them; and, 1. They all relate to spiritual blessings in heavenly things.

The next thing he prayed for for them was that they might be sanctified; not only kept from evil, but made good. I. Here is the petition : Sanctify them through thy truth, through thy word, for thy word is truth; it is true—it is truth itself. He desires they may be sanctified, 1. As Christians.

Next to their purity he prays for their unity; for the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable; and amity is amiable indeed when it is like the ointment on Aaron’s holy head, and the dew on Zion’s holy hill. Observe, I.

Here is, I. A petition for the glorifying of all those that were given to Christ , not only these apostles, but all believers: Father, I will that they may be with me. Observe, 1. The connection of this request with those foregoing.