Jesus Prayed

Three Devotions – listening in on the Heart of Jesus.

Book Summary

Jesus Prayed
Three Devotions – listening in on the Heart of Jesus.

The introduction to Jesus Prayed invites readers into one of the most intimate moments in Scripture: Jesus’ prayer in John 17. This prayer takes place on the night before the crucifixion, during the Last Supper, when Jesus knew suffering and death were just hours away. Yet His heart remained full of love, peace, and purpose.

Before He prayed, Jesus washed His disciples’ feet (John 13), revealing the heart of the Kingdom — humility, compassion, and sacrificial love. Even though Judas had already chosen betrayal, Jesus continued to serve to the very end.

In His final conversations, Jesus comforted His disciples with promises that would anchor them after His departure: a home with the Father, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and a peace the world cannot give (John 14). After speaking these words of hope, He led them into the Garden of Gethsemane, where He prayed in deep anguish, fully surrendered to the Father’s will (Luke 22).

From that place of surrender came the prayer of John 17 — a prayer of trust, mission, and eternal love. Jesus prayed for Himself, for His disciples, and for all who would one day believe through their message. Scripture tells us He continues to intercede for us even now (Romans 8:34). His heart has not changed.

The introduction prepares readers for the devotionals that follow in Jesus Prayed. Each includes a short story, reflection questions, and a prayer designed to help readers slow down, listen deeply, and encounter the heart of Jesus in a personal way.

As Jesus prayed in John 17:20, “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message.” This includes us today — and this book invites readers to hear that prayer with fresh ears.

About the Author

James Paulson’s life is a story of grace, second chances, and the steady voice of Jesus calling him forward. He didn’t come from a perfect background, and his faith grew through struggles, disappointments, and seasons of searching. Yet through every chapter, God was shaping, healing, and revealing His faithfulness.

Over the years, James learned to follow Jesus step by step, prayer by prayer. His walk with the Lord became the anchor that held him when life was uncertain, and in quiet moments he discovered a God who speaks, restores, and leads with gentle strength.

James is a devoted husband to Cher, and their marriage was recently featured in Focus on the Family for the way God carried them through hardship into deeper love and unity. They are raising two children — Hurley, passionate and driven, and Roxy, joyful and affectionately known as the “Cartwheel Queen.” Their home is a place of laughter, honesty, and evidence of God’s kindness.

With more than twenty years of experience walking with people facing hardship and transition, James has developed a heart for helping others find the same hope he found in Christ. He understands discouragement, uncertainty, and feeling unseen — and he knows the healing that comes when Jesus calls a person by name.

Writing devotionals like Jesus Prayed is part of James’s desire to help readers pause long enough to hear the voice of Jesus — the voice that prayed for us, intercedes for us, and still speaks peace to every willing heart.

His prayer is that this book becomes an invitation to draw near to God, to believe you are seen and known, and to realize that long before you ever prayed a word…

Jesus prayed for you.