“These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father” John 17:1

Last week we considered WHO it was the Lord Jesus was praying FOR in heaven RIGHT NOW.

Today we are going to consider WHO it is that He is praying TO.

1. WE ARE TOLD THAT IN THE VERY FIRST VERSE.

“These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father . . .”.

Many people get angry when they hear that others are talking about them. But not so in this case!

Please think about this girls and boys. At this very moment in heaven, the Lord Jesus is talking to our Heavenly Father about US — about YOU if you are saved!

2. TRUE PRAYER IS ADDRESSED TO THE FATHER

Christians are often confused about the matter of prayer. Prayer should be addressed to the Father in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the help of God the Holy Ghost. When we pray in ‘Jesus name’, we are approaching the Father through the ONE APPOINTED MEDIATOR. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,” 1 Timothy 2:5. We may pray to the Saviour and talk to Him, knowing that He will convey our prayers to the Father. That is something you should all seek to learn.

3. WHAT A WONDERFUL THING THIS CONVERSATION IS!

The king of the United Kingdom doesn’t talk about you, nor the Prime Minister. Indeed, there are very, very few people who even know our name and even then, they are very unlikely to THINK of us or TALK about us!

But the Lord Jesus and His Heavenly Father are thinking the kindest possible thoughts about us and talking continually of what it is they are going to do for us.

Here are some words from the Bible which support what I say. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end,” Jeremiah 29:11.

4. EVERY LOVING, CARING THOUGHT GOD HAS OF HIS PEOPLE HE WILL CAUSE TO HAPPEN.

Listen to these words. “This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations. For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?” Isaiah 14:26-27.

“Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee,” Jer 32:17.

“But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible,” Matthew 19:26.We have no reason to fear or doubt in the light of Christ and His Father thinking of us and talking about us every day!