“I PRAYED FOR YOU TODAY”
READ: JOHN 17: 20-26
“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message.” (V. 20)
“I prayed for you today.” The words cut right to my soul. I had just finished teaching a lesson for our Sunday School Class and was bidding some of my classmates, good day, when they were spoken to me. They were uttered by my classmate Ron, who looked directly into my eyes from his mobility scooter. I was frozen in place. My heart seemed to skip a beat. I was speechless as the words, spoken in a slow cadence registered with my brain and were transmitted to my heart. Ron, a man of intense living faith, who for the past 13 years had struggled with severe medical conditions that had left him immobile and struggling to speak, took my hand as the words poured forth from his lips. How can this be? My wife and I pray for Ron and his wife Sharon on a daily basis. I should be the one offering these words to him. You are the one whose physical body has been broken and battered. You are the one facing soul testing challenges and trials. You are the one in need of intense prayer and spiritual uplifting. But rather than focusing on your trials and tribulations, you drew from your deep well of humble faith to help the Holy Spirit transform the lives of those in your wide circle of influence. Not only had Ron’s words, but his powerful act of praying for me left an indelible mark upon my spirit.
Jesus, who was about to be rejected by many of to be his followers, including Judas and for a shameful moment, Peter, prayed for them. Jesus, whose body was about to be battered and bruised in obedience to God’s will, prayed for all future believers. Jesus, who was hung on a cross to die a criminal’s death, prayed for forgiveness for those subjecting him to his horrific execution. Jesus, whose loving sacrifice and glorious resurrection would bring forgiveness, salvation and eternal life prayed that all believers would be unified (17:11); protected from Satan (17:15); and blessed with holiness (17:17). Not only did Jesus pray for us, but The Holy Spirit prays for us each day in ways we cannot fully fathom (Romans 8:26-28). Prayers of unequal power onstantly raised on your behalf!
PAUSE FOR REFLECTION AND PRAYER
Ron went home to be with Jesus on February 1, 2026. His legacy of humble, faithful prayer for everyone he met will far transcend his earthly life—I’ll bet he is praying for each of us today from the realms of heaven!
Dear Jesus, thank you for the life of your faithful servant Ron. Thank you for praying for us and for the constant unceasing prayers of the Holy Spirit who “prayed for us today!”
You’re Brother in Christ,
Fred Ailes