Week 9 — Friday: The First Petition

John 12:23-28 

A while ago, I found myself driving across the country on my way to some places of ministry. These are the opportunities God has allowed me to share a song, a story, or a Word of Scripture with various people in various places. I count it a gift of His grace to be able to do so. But it is not devoid of anxiety or self-doubt in the midst. 

In those moments when I imagine the worst-case scenarios or acknowledge that I may not be up to the task, there is always the temptation to escape, to find a way out rather than go on. In fact, my prayers often are similar to the comments of Jesus in His own conversations with His heavenly Father regarding His suffering and crucifixion: “What shall I say, Father, save me from this hour…” 

Yet Jesus chose a different place to begin His conversation with the Lord. He chose to pray, “Father, glorify Your name!” And the remarkable response and promise of God is, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” (John 12:27-28) 

When I pray for the glorification of God’s name, the beautiful fact is that He has and will continue to accomplish His glory through me. It is not necessarily my great or perfect performance that His glory is dependent on, but His own work in and through whatever performance I offer in His name. It seems that nothing is wasted by God in the pursuit of His glory, whether my suffering, my successes, or my failures. 

When I find myself troubled in heart and spirit, tempted to pray, “get me out of here”, I am reminded to first of all pray, “Father, glorify Your name,” and then trust in His promise and power to accomplish His glory through me in the present circumstances of life.

—CONTRIBUTED BY JON BYRON—

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