When I think about the fact that Jesus was so dependant on the Father in prayer, I realize that truth is what kept Him full of purpose, humble posture, and power.

I want to be like my Savior in every aspect. I realize that until He calls me home, I will be woefully lacking but until then, I’m going to strive for it just like Paul.

One of the places that I know I need more work is my prayer life. I have been studying John 17 and taking notes on how I can pray more intentionally like Jesus. I hope its a source of encouragement for your family as well.

I have created a couple of 5 devotions to pray like Jesus. One is for adults and teens and the other is for children. You will find these free downloads at the end of the post.

7 Ways We Can Pray Like Jesus

John 17 is one of the most profound chapters in the Bible—it records Jesus’ prayer just before His arrest and crucifixion. Often called the High Priestly Prayer, it offers a powerful model for how we can pray like Jesus. Here’s a breakdown of the chapter and 7 practical ways we can pray to follow His example:

1. Pray for God’s Glory

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you…” v.1

• Jesus focused on glorifying the Father before asking for anything else.
• Why it matters: Many people pray to get things—Jesus prayed to stay close to God.
• When we pray like Jesus, we move from religion to relationship.
• How we can follow: Start prayer by honoring God’s name and purpose. Acknowledge who He is, thank Him, and express your desire to live for His glory.

2. Pray for Others

“I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me…” v.6-19, 24

• Jesus prayed for His disciples’ protection, sanctification, and unity.
• Why it matters: It shifts us from self-centeredness to love.
• When we pray like Jesus, we become more compassionate, outward-focused, and mission-driven.
• How we can follow: Pray for people by name. Ask God to strengthen their faith, protect them from evil, and help them grow in truth. Pray for salvations.

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message…” v.20-21

• Jesus prayed for us—future believers.
• How we can follow: Pray beyond the present in faith. Ask God to raise up new believers through your family and church.

3. Pray for Protection from Evil

“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.” v. 15

• Jesus prayed for protection on believers from Satan.
• Why it matters: The enemy is out to steal, kill, and destroy. (John 10:10)
• When we pray like Jesus, we are made aware of our enemy and we can pray against his lies, schemes, and harm.
• How we can follow: Put on your armor daily. (Ephesians 6) Pray against the Devils attacks on yourself, your family, and your church. Pray that God will help you fight sin.

HOW TO OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD

4. Pray for Sanctification

 “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” v.17

• Jesus prayed for believers to be transformed by the truth found in scripture.
• Why it matters: Left on our own, we often pray for comfort, not growth.
• When we pray like Jesus, we ask for the truth of our daily Bible reading to become a truth that we obediently live out.
• How we can follow: Petition the Lord to show your wonderful truths in the scripture, memorize, meditate, study it, and then ask for His guidance to apply it to daily life.

5. Pray for Unity Among Believers

“…that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” v.21-23

• Unity was central to Jesus’ heart.
• The world is divided—Jesus prayed for deep, spiritual unity grounded in love.
• When we pray like Jesus, we become peacemakers.
• How we can follow: Pray for healing and like-mindedness in the Church, in families, and in individual relationships. Fight division with love and humility.

6. Pray with an Eternal Perspective

“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am…” (v.24)

• Jesus longed for us to be with Him forever.
• Why it matters: We easily get caught up in temporal problems.
• When we pray like Jesus, we see life from God’s eternal perspective.
• How we can follow: Don’t just pray about short-term needs. Keep eternity in mind. Ask God to keep you and others focused on the bigger picture.

7. End with Love

“…that the love you have for me may be in them…” v.25-26

• Love is the final note of Jesus’ prayer.
• Why it matters: Jesus told us to love our neighbor as ourselves.
• When we pray like Jesus, we develop a deeper love for the Father and those created in His image.
• How we can follow: Pray that God’s love would fill your heart and overflow to others.

Sample Prayer based on John 17

Jesus prays in three main parts:

1. Verses 1–5: Jesus prays for Himself.
2. Verses 6–19: He prays for His disciples.
3. Verses 20–26: He prays for all believers (including us).

Here is a sample prayer that follows along Jesus’ prayer.

Father, glorify Yourself in my life, that I may glorify You.
You are the only true God, and Jesus Christ is Your Son, whom You sent. I praise You for the eternal life You’ve given me through Jesus.

Thank You for the people You’ve placed in my life. I lift them to You—protect them, sanctify them in Your truth, and fill them with joy even in trials. Keep them from the evil one, and help them live in the world without being shaped by it.

Lord, I also pray for those who do not yet know You—my friends, neighbors, and the next generation. May they come to believe through the witness of Your people. Use me to show them Your love.

Make Your church one, Father—one in heart, one in purpose, one in love. Just as You are in Jesus and Jesus is in You, may we be united in You, so the world may believe.

I long to be with You where You are. Keep my eyes on eternity. And let Your love fill me, shape me, and overflow through me.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

5-day devotional titled “Pray Like Jesus: A Journey Through John 17”, designed to help you grow deeper each day in prayer, modeled after Jesus’ own heart.

Pray Like Jesus – Kids’ Devotional (John 17) tailored to help kids understand how to pray like Jesus.