A Reflection on Jesus’ Prayer in John 17:1–5
A new year often invites us to pause, reflect, and ask important questions. We think about goals, plans, and hopes for the months ahead. Beneath all of those practical thoughts, there is a deeper question that quietly waits for our attention: Why am I here, and what is God calling me to do with this life?
In John 17, we are given a rare and sacred glimpse into the heart of Jesus as He prays to the Father. This prayer comes just before His arrest and crucifixion. Knowing the weight of what lay ahead, Jesus lifts His eyes to heaven and speaks words that reveal purpose, obedience, and glory.
Jesus’ Finished Work and the Glory of God
In verses 4 and 5, Jesus says:
“I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.” (John 17:4–5, NKJV)
These words are deeply moving. Jesus speaks with peace and confidence. He knows that His life has been lived in full alignment with the Father’s will. Everything He said, every miracle He performed, every step He took toward the cross was done with one aim — to glorify God.
This reminds us of a powerful truth: we were created with purpose. Just as Jesus was sent to fulfill a specific work, each of us has been entrusted with a God-given calling. Our lives are not accidents, and our days are not random. They matter deeply to God.
Created to Bring Glory to God
To glorify God is not only about what we do, but about how we live. It is about trusting Him, walking in obedience, loving others, and using what He has placed within us for His honor. When Jesus said He had “finished the work,” He was pointing to a life lived faithfully, moment by moment, in submission to the Father.
As we step into a new year, this invites us to reflect honestly:
Am I living with God’s purpose at the center of my life?
Am I seeking to please Him above all else?
The new year is not just a chance to start new habits or set new goals. It is an opportunity to ask God to guide us into the work He has prepared for us — work that brings Him glory and blesses others along the way.
Trusting God’s Purpose in Our Lives
The journey of purpose is not always easy or clear. There are seasons of waiting, uncertainty, and even hardship. Yet Scripture gives us great assurance in Romans 8:
“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28, NKJV)
When we choose to walk in the purpose God has designed for us, we can rest in the promise that He is at work in every detail. Even the difficult moments are not wasted. God uses them to shape us, guide us, and draw us closer to Himself.
Paul continues by reminding us that God’s plan stretches far beyond this present moment:
“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son… Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” (Romans 8:29–30, NKJV)
What a hopeful promise this is. When our lives are aligned with God’s purpose, the end of the story is not uncertainty — it is glory with Christ. Just as Jesus was glorified after finishing His work, we too are promised a future where we will share in His glory.
Walking Into the New Year With Purpose
As this new year begins, let us take time to seek God with open hearts. Instead of asking only, “What do I want to accomplish?” we can ask, “Lord, what work have You given me to do?”
Purpose does not always look dramatic or public. Sometimes it is found in quiet faithfulness, daily obedience, loving service, and trusting God one step at a time. What matters most is not how large the task appears, but whether our lives are pointing back to Him.
May this year be marked by a growing desire to live for God’s glory. May we walk confidently, knowing that as we pursue His purpose, He is working all things for good. And may we hold fast to the promise that one day, when our work is finished, we will be glorified with Christ — just as He prayed.
As we move forward, let us live with this hope in our hearts: our lives matter to God, our purpose is secure in Him, and the best is still ahead.
Don’t miss our “7 Days of Purpose for the New Year” Devotional from the 1st to the 7th of January to help you start your new year with God.
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