““I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.
Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” (John 17:20-26 ESV)

This chapter, this prayer of Jesus, is possibly the most beautiful passage of Scripture aside from the recording of the Passion of Jesus Christ as found in each gospel. Jesus takes a step aside from motion, action and physical ministry and in one chapter exposes the heart of YHWH to His creation.

The desire evident in these verses, the plan of God unfolded, reveals to us the very purpose and meaning of life. There is no need to climb to the top of a Tibetan mountain to consult another human being with an impressive beard and wise sounding words to discover what your purpose in life is supposed to be. There is no need to eat-pray-love your way around the world seeking meaning in the physical desires and emotional holes in your heart. There is no need to -go- anywhere, you don’t need to dig up the treasures of the Masons using clues from old dead guys to find meaning in life.

This is it. Open faced and ready to be seen.
Is there mystery contained in these passages? Yes, absolutely!
Are there answers a-plenty? You betcha!
Is there purpose bestowed? In the richest love.
Is meaning conveyed? In ways deeper than our minds can comprehend.
Is hope shared? With tears of joyful understanding, yes.
Is truth taught? Do you even need to ask?

John 17 is a gift, a grace, to all of us.
That the heart of God would be shown to us in this way, His will so plainly spoken and His plan so easily shared would be revealed to us…this is absolutely amazing.
You want to talk about a prayer? This one takes the cake.
Submission to the Father, shown in absolute reverence and awe. Openness to His will and willingness to glorify Him and be glorified in Him. Complete humility shown while honor is given and direction is sought out. The attitude of our hearts can learn so much from this passage. Prayer that is not self-centered. Prayer that focuses on the true glory of God. Prayer that reveres and lifts up His Name. Prayer that seeks to be moved. Prayer that submits gladly in a spirit of the deepest humility. Prayer that loves. Prayer that obeys. Prayer that listens. Prayer that acknowledges the will of God above all else.

And in this grace-filled prayer, we find the meaning of life.
To echo the words of Solomon, “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13 ESV)
And to what end? That He would be glorified. That we would faithfully serve Him in drawing all people to Him that He honors us with the opportunity to share. That in humility, we would submit our lives to Him, serving as we were designed to do, praising as we were meant to, and glorifying Him in every way imaginable. He is the One who redeems and seeks us out to draw us near to Him. Our purpose in life is to be loved by the One who makes all things new and to love Him in return in the fullness of our being: heart mind and soul.
Prayer teaches us daily submission and ‘tunes us in’ to His will. In this, we know we are living in a way that honors Him and that will draw others to the One who loves us enough to defeat death itself for us that He would be glorified. In this joyful hope and amazing grace we GoLove.