16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."  17:1 Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: "Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You,

                Father = Prayer is based upon a dependent relationship with God (John 1:12)

                The Hour = Prayer occurs in the context of God’s purposes in history and our lives

                Prayer starts with an awareness of our need and turbocharges with a concern for the glory of God

                The request: Glory to glorify

2  "as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him.

                Authority/power and intimate knowledge of God is graciously shared with the faithful

3  "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

                a. Knowing vs knowing about the True Creator God (instead of one we’ve created)

                b. We intimately relate to God as we experience His attributes in our lives

                c. Omnipotent = Nothing is too difficult for God’s power which created me, my world, and all that is in it

                        Jer 32:17 ‘Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing

                        too hard for You. Jer 32:27  "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?

                d. Omniscient = Nothing escapes God’s notice or plan, or catches Him by surprise

                        Heb 4:1313 there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

                e. Omnipresent = There is no place where we can hide from or escape from God (except maybe dark locked hearts) (Ps 139)

                Ps 139:7  Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?

                f. Holiness = God is separate or distinct for all other gods and any evil

                Ex 15:11  "Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods? Who is like You, glorious in holiness, Fearful in praises, doing wonders?

                2Co 7:1 having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

                g. Goodness = God would not withhold anything good from me, nor allow any temptation/trial into my life except for my benefit

                Nahum 1:7  The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.

                h. Love = God sacrifices His desires and preferences to do what is in my best interest (highest good)

                1Jo 4:8  He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

                i. Grace = God will give me the power and desire to do His will when I humbly depend on Him

                1Pe 5:10  But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while,

                perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

                j. Mercy = God is forgiving and kind to the undeserving unthankful/evil (Lk 6:36), yet doesn’t leave the guilty unpunished -Num 14:18

                        Nu 14:18 The LORD is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He by no means clears the guilty

                k. Justice = God will take vengeance upon those who trouble me, and pay me back with infinite gracious interest for what I do

                Heb 6: 10  For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

                1Pt 1:15  but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16  because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." 17  And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;

                l. Sovereignty = God is fulfilling His plan to glorify Himself allowing us free will to cooperate and be blessed or refuse and be cursed

                Eph 1:11  In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. If prayer is a conversation, is it all about you or also about God?  How does what’s on God’s heart show up in your prayers?

2. What could Sherlock Holmes conclude about someone who has no prayer requests for their upcoming week?

3. How can an inaccurate knowledge of God mess up someone’s life? How can you increase you knowledge of God?

4. How did/will each of God’s attributes have an influence in your life this past/next week?

2Pe 3:18  but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.