May we be one
by Sal Huckel
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I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one (John 17:22).
On Sunday, we listened in on Jesus’ prayer for his disciples. Today, we see that Jesus first looked towards heaven and prayed for himself that he would glorify the Father and be glorified. After praying for the disciples, Jesus prays for all believers. This is not ‘the prayer that Jesus taught us’ – it is the prayer that Jesus prayed for us.
Through the witness of first the disciples and those who came after, we do indeed believe in Jesus Christ. What is the first thing that Jesus prays for here? For us to be one in the Father and Son so that the world will believe that the Father sent Jesus into the world. Jesus wants us to be brought to complete unity. This unity will be evidence of God’s love for us and will continue to make him known in the world.
How is our unity looking right now? In our homes, family relationships, congregations and wider church? If our unity is evidence of God’s love and unity, how is our witness?
We can only be one with each other if we are in Christ. We must remain in him and he in us. Meditate on this prayer. Pray for the church yourself as you are moved by the Holy Spirit, who also intercedes for us and inspires our prayers.
Are we more interested in spending time on our knees in prayer for our own personal needs than for the wider body of believers? Jesus’ own focus here is heavenward, bringing people to himself, and glorifying the Father. Let’s challenge ourselves also to turn heavenwards and seek first the kingdom of God, praying more in this way than for ourselves. Everything else will be added after that (Matthew 6:33). Jesus prayed for us right before his death! Let’s do our part!
Heavenly Father, thank you for sharing this intimate moment of prayer with us. We know that you hear our prayers in Jesus’ name – and how much more you answer his own prayers. It is convicting to know that our unity as a body of believers is the means through which the world will know Jesus and will make your love known. Lord, show me in my heart today where I need to let things go, make amends or act towards others in my home or outside it, to do my part towards unity. May we hold unity and witness higher than our own need to be right or to bring our own justice into being. May you reign sovereign over your church. In the unifying name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I pray, Amen.
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