Optimist Roundtable 5/13
By Martha Sykes
There is a true story that Admiral William Mc Raven of the US Special Forces Operation tells of his training as a Navy SEAL. One technique that the SEALS practice regularly involves how to perform underwater attacks and complete special missions in total darkness. He explains the whole mission and concludes by saying, “If you want to change the world, you must be your very best in the darkest moment”.
Looking at a particular scripture passage in John, chapter 17, there is a message from Jesus when He had His darkest moments and how He appeared at His best at this time. This passage relates Jesus’ last major prayer before his arrest and crucifixion. This lesson from John has at times been referred to as the “real” Lord’s prayer. At this time, He prayed for His friends, the apostles.
Jesus knew that His life and His ministry were coming to a close, but He was already committed to do His Father’s will, so He did nothing to save His own life own life. He shows us in this passage that turning to God, praying, and trusting in HIs Heavenly Father is important to have that special relationship with God.In His last hours, He prayed for His disciples, and then He prayed for people that He never met and for people for generations to come!! That means that He prayed for all of us!! What a precious gift!!
This message in the gospel of John shows us that Jesus was at his very best in his darkest moment.He was calm, and so confident in His Father’s love and the plans that He had for Him.In fact he trusted God so much for His future that He didn’t need to pray for himself, so He prayed for His disciples.He knew that they were probably weak, scared and unprepared for when He was gone, just like we can feel that same way when we don’t feel confident.The disciples learned so much as they traveled with Him, but we can only imagine that they watched Him pray so much that they had to remember how vital that prayer time was to Him. Especially now at this darkest time of His journey.
Jesus did not pray that His disciples , or anyone would never have troubles, but that they would have strength in knowing that He cared about them, just as He does each and everyone of us. He prayed that they would remain strong enough to withstand anything that came their way after He left them on their own.Jesus also prayed for you and me. He was praying that we also would be strong. I don’t know about you, but that is a prayer that I need daily.Jesus does not forget us in our time of need.Our prayers are just as important as we pray for others who go through dark times.God is faithful and will hear our prayers just as He heard Jesus’ prayer at His darkest moment.
