Notice the sequence and the levels evident in John 17. Jesus begins His prayer by focusing on Himself in His relationship with the Father.
When Jesus had spoken these words, He lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son that the Son may glorify You, since You have given Him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that You gave Me to do. And now, Father, glorify Me in Your own presence with the glory that I had with You before the world existed” (John 17:1-5).
For Himself, Jesus requested glory, which amounted to victory in His coming clash with death. Some do not want to be specific about their own needs because they mistakenly think of this as selfish. It is right to pray for our own needs, for it is only as we succeed spiritually that we can help others. To neglect our own relationship with the Father is to cause all else that could be accomplished through us to shrivel and die. Paul told Timothy, “Keep a close watch on yourself” (1 Timothy 4:16).