John 17 – "I Want" Prayer & Our Want-To

Global Movements & Persecution

• Europe: notable youth awakening; Zoom follow-up from Helsinki conference drew $75$ participants.
• Iran: believers indicted; pregnant woman escaped, sentenced to $15$-year term now safe; brother in Tehran’s “Great Prison” to serve $11$ years—last words: “Keep the faith.”

The Power of “Want-To”

• Genuine desire (“want-to”) fuels persistence (diet, fitness, exams, artistry, Series $7$ licensing, two-year-old’s candy example).
• Spiritual growth likewise hinges on depth of desire, not mere intention.

Jesus’ John $17$ Prayer (Key Focus)

• Earlier petitions: “I pray…,” “May they…,” for unity and shared life with God.
• Shift in $17{:24}$: “Father, I WANT those you have given me to be with me.”
  • Greek word: thelō – intense, child-like longing.
• Cross enables the request: because Jesus pays the price, He can legitimately say “I want them.”

Core Outcomes Jesus Seeks

• Deep unity among believers → safe transparency → accelerated growth.
• Believers in rhythm with God → observable testimony to the world.
• Togetherness with Christ forever → relationship is central, not location, method, or rule-keeping.

Relationship vs. Religion

• Bible showcases God as pursuer (Eden, prodigal son, Jacob & Esau).
• Religion = people earning/bribing; Gospel = God runs toward us (“but Esau ran…” $Gen\,33{:4}$).
• Salvation rests on trusting Christ alone, not on personal performance.

Key Scriptures

• $Jn\,17{:20–24}$ – Jesus’ four petitions culminating in “I want them with me.”
• $Lk\,22{:42}$ – “Not my will but Yours” juxtaposed with “I want.”
• $Rom\,5{:8}$ – “But God demonstrates…”
• $Phil\,1{:21–23}$ – Paul’s yearning: “to depart and be with Christ… far better.”

Application

• Examine personal “want-to” toward God; move beyond duty to desire.
• Present God to others as the loving Father who wants them, not as a distant rule-keeper.
• Offer simple next step: “God, I want You; I trust Christ; here’s my life.”