“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am” (John 17:24)

It seems unfair that God takes saints in the prime of life. Why does God cut short the lives of people that do His work? Why can’t God take instead sinners that work against Him, or at least saints who disobey His commands? But no, it seems God takes the best of saints; the most generous, the most prayerful, the most holy, the most devoted. Why? It seems to connect to Christ’s prayer - “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am”. 

 Christ’s prayer is answered every time a faithful saint leaves Earth for Paradise. An old minister once said, "Many times Jesus and His people pull against one another in prayer. You bend your knee in prayer and say 'Father, I will that Your saints be with me where I am'; Christ says, ‘Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am'”. The prayer of the disciple is at cross-purposes with the prayer of Christ. A saint can only be on Earth with you, or in Heaven with Christ, but not in both places. 

 Now, which prayer prevails with God? If you had your choice; if the King should step from His throne, and say, "Here are two contrary prayers, which shall be answered?" Oh! I’m sure, though you might be conflicted, you would stand, and say, "Jesus, not my will, but Yours be done." You would give up your prayer for your loved one's life, if you knew Christ was praying in the opposite direction – ‘Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am’. “Lord, You can have my loved ones if you want. By faith, I release them into Your hands”.