While you sleep, Jesus prays for you. Though we must rest, though we must take breaks to recharge, though we must stop our work, the Scriptures affirm that Jesus continually prays for his people. We often think about what Christ accomplished in the past or what he’ll do in the future; we rarely consider what he’s doing in the present. Scripture tells us he “always lives to make intercession for [us]” (Heb. 7:25), that he’s “at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us” (Rom. 8:34), and that “we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1). But what exactly does Jesus pray for you? While it’s a great comfort to hear that Jesus prays for us, it’s even a greater comfort to hear what he prays for us. By examining the Scriptures, we discover three specific petitions Jesus brings before the Father on our behalf. Protection from the Evil One We know what Christ prays for us in heaven by seeing what he prays for us on earth. And in Jesus’s high priestly prayer in John, he prays, “Holy Father, keep them in your name” (John 17:11, emphasis added). A few verses later, Jesus pleads, “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one” (v. 15). While you sleep, Jesus prays for your protection from the Evil One. Jesus knows Satan’s tactics. The Devil is the father of lies (8:44) who tempts us to abandon the faith. He whispers accusations such as: “You’re not good enough. God is disappointed in you. He wishes he’d made you differently.” But while the Devil accuses, Christ advocates. When Satan brings charges, Jesus presents his defense. None of the Enemy’s accusations will stand, because your Advocate has already answered them all. When Satan brings charges, Jesus presents his defense. Remember what Jesus told Peter: “Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed that your faith may not fail” (Luke 22:31–32). Peter stumbled, but his faith didn’t utterly fail. This was because Jesus prayed for him. Christ’s prayers are always answered. As Robert Murray M’Cheyne says, “If I could hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no difference. He is praying for me.” Preservation in Suffering Paul explains in Romans 8:34–37 that tribulation, distress, persecution, and danger won’t separate us from Christ’s love because he is “at the right hand of God . . . interceding for us.” We are “more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Paul doesn’t say we won’t have suffering in this world. We’ll have tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, and danger. But he says this suffering will not separate us from Christ because we have One who intercedes for us. Paul promises you’ll be preserved amid your suffering not because you’re so strong but because Jesus died, rose, and is at the right hand of God interceding for you even now. He knows you’re suffering, and he prays for you. He isn’t unable to sympathize with your weaknesses but has been tempted in every respect just like you—yet without sin (Heb. 4:15). Jesus knows your suffering intimately, even if you’ve never told anyone else. He’s your compassionate intercessor. When the high priest of old entered God’s presence, he had 12 jewels on his chest, representing all the people of God (Ex. 28:1–43). These jewels are now you and me. And each one is different. He brings your specific needs before the Father. While five minutes is too long for us, he pleads forever. Not only is Jesus compassionate, but he’s your continual, faithful intercessor. For 2,000 years, he has been making intercession. While five minutes may feel too long for us, he pleads forever. He never tires of it. He never takes a vacation from it. He never has to take a break to sleep. Endless compassion breathes out endless prayers. His heart is continually stirred on your behalf. Jesus prays that we would be preserved amid suffering. Pardon for Our Sins Too often, when we think of Christ’s atoning work on our behalf, we only think of what Christ has done on the cross. But in Leviticus, the work of atonement included multiple realities. Atonement was a process, not just a moment. In Leviticus 16, we read that Jews would slaughter the animal. The killing would take place in the outer courtyard. But then comes an important step. The blood of the bull or goat would be sprinkled on and in front of the mercy seat. The blood was brought into the Holy of Holies. It was this entire process that Leviticus says would make atonement (v. 16). There was a killing, and there was a sprinkling of blood. You might think, Hold on. When Jesus is on the cross, he says “It is finished” (John 19:30). And, yes, the sacrifice is complete on the cross. But he also brings his blood before God’s throne room. What he finished on the earth, he presented in the heavens. So we shouldn’t divorce Christ’s work of intercession from the atonement, for Jesus’s intercession is the application of the atonement. Christ has accomplished perfect atonement; now he applies the benefits. The cross is the payment; the intercession is the plea. One was made on earth; the other is managed in heaven. Blood must be spilt, and blood must be carried. Jesus went into heaven to present his blood before the Father. What this means for you and me is that Jesus stands before the Father to pray—yes, for your protection and preservation, but oh, for so much more. He presented his righteous blood before the Father for your pardon. When you sin, you have the Righteous One standing as your legal representation in heaven. Charles Wesley captured this beautifully in a hymn: Arise, my soul, arise, Shake off thy guilty fears; The bleeding sacrifice In my behalf appears; Before the throne my surety stands; My name is written on his hands. . . . Five bleeding wounds he bears, Received on Calvary; They pour effectual prayers, They strongly speak for me; Forgive him, oh forgive, they cry, Nor let that ransomed sinner die. Jesus Prays for You Christ’s death might sometimes feel distant, but his intercession brings his compassion into your present moment. You have an Advocate in heaven who pleads on your behalf—for your protection from evil, preservation through suffering, and pardon for sin. His voice is stronger than Satan’s whispers. His prayers never fail. And his blood speaks a better word than any accusation against you. Right now, and even as you lie down to rest from the day’s work, Jesus prays for you.