The next area that Jesus prays for believers is that they may have joy in their lives.
'...that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.' (John 17:13)
Jesus knew the times to come for his small band of believers; the hardships, the sufferings, the persecution and death, therefore He prayed that they may have, not just joy but His joy; and the same joy is available to us. In Nehemiah it says,
'Do not sorrow for the joy of the Lord is your strength.' (Nehemiah 8:10)
There are many times when we can find no joy in a situation that we find ourselves in, but we need not look to our own joy but that which Jesus demonstrated (Hebrew 12:2) that which He has already prayed into place for us. Hold fast and believe, for God has promised that although 'weeping may endure for a night, joy comes in the morning.' Psalm 30:5.
Sara Jukes
2006-05-11