Our Lord Prays for His Own: Thoughts on John 17

by Marcus Rainsford

This chapter is emphatically the Lord’s prayer. That which we commonly call the Lord’s prayer He taught His disciples, but did not use Himself. The petition, “Forgive us our trespasses,” could never have been uttered by the Lord Jesus Christ. This prayer, on the other hand, is His own—His disciples were not invited to unite in it; it was a prayer they did not and could not utter. Evidently the Lord spake so as to be heard, and the disciples listened. The Holy Ghost has provided that not one petition should be lost to the church of God. We often find our Lord teaching His disciples to pray, and we read of Him spending even whole nights in prayer; but we never find Him praying with His disciples. Indeed, there would seem to be something incongruous in Christ kneeling down with His disciples for prayer; there must always have been something peculiar in His petitions.

At this time His work on earth was well-nigh nothing remained for Him but to “I have finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do.” (v. 4.) The Last Supper was over. The Lord had dispensed to His disciples the broken bread and poured-out wine, memorials of His dying love; He had expressed to them His desire, that in remembrance of Him, they should often gather together and thus show forth His death in this illustration and their union with Himself and with each other, until His return to them in glory. He had washed their feet; He had comforted them; He had opened His whole heart to them. He now opens it for them to Him before whom “all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid;” and having poured out His soul into the ear, and into the bosom of God, He went forth into Gethsemane. May God the Spirit be with us and give unction and understanding to our hearts, while we meditate on His most precious prayer.

480 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1950

Reviews

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

An inspiring book recommended by Miss Johnson, the founder of Bible Study Fellowship. It also was recommended in the many introductions to this edition as a resource that needs to be revived for our times.

However, I was disappointed. I thought that Rainsford was going to exegete John 17 verse by verse since each of the 41 chapters starts with a verse from John 17. But he didn't. This is more of a commentary of inspiring thoughts, insights, suppositions and scripture references than a verse by verse study or exegesis of the passage. Rainsford's many thoughts are true and related to the words in John 17, but not actually there. I found myself having to read the passage and other materials to get what I wanted from this amazing prayer in John 17.

An example would be chapter 13 on John 17:9. It says "I pray for them, I pray not for the world, but for those you gave me: for they are Thine." Rainsford spent a few paragraphs talking about what our Lord prayed for those given to Him on page 152. But it simply restates what's already in the prayer, no insights. The rest of the chapter talks about how the Lord's previous prayers to be glorified were answered by His resurrection, and how the world rejected His words and therefore is lost for various reasons. It's all good words and very insightful, but it's not focused on exegeting the passage quoted. I wanted a different resource.

[Robert W. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a constant source of great encouragement to me over the year or so that it took me to read it. I was amazed at the author's insight and wisdom as he toured the entirety of the scriptures while focusing on this one prayer. It left me with a great sense of appreciation for God's sovereignty and His amazing love for me in Jesus. I definitely have a more secure sense of confidence in my hope for salvation now than when I started this lengthy volume.

Written in the 1800s by Marcus Rainsford (a contemporary of D.L. Moody), this book uses "King James language" and isn't particularly easy reading for a casual student from this generation. Still, if you're willing to commit the time and attention to it, Our Lord Prays for His Own will be an invaluable tool in your understanding of Jesus' work on our behalf.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not (at least for me) a sit-down-and-read-it-all-at-once book. It's more of a devotional that I will keep coming back and visiting.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not the easiest read, but very good, insightful, and encouraging.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read about half the book. Difficult reading with old enflish and deep thinking not adapted to today's thinking

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book over a course of 6 months. I used it as part of my devotion in the mornings. It consistenly led me to a deeper understanding of the Trinity and how it was designed to love and fufill each of God's children. I would highly recommend this classic to anyone needing to see the basics of their faith in a new way!

[Debra]

Just started reading this last night. The Bible Study that I belong to will be studying John starting next September. I've studied this book before and wanted to spend more time studying the 17th chapter. I read that some have used this book as a devotional and that is my intention as well.

[Manuel Brambila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok.

Good read. Very complete.
However, I found it a little all over the place at times.
Star star star star