John 17
Jesus continues to pray for the disciples and as He does, His prayer expands to include a prayer for all believers and that all believers be in unity. We not only need to be in unity so that we can best support and encourage one another, but also to serve others and bring others to Jesus...if we are unified consider how much more effective we would be in bringing others to Jesus. Too often we focus on what divides us but we should focus on what unites us. I am thinking of yet another verse from Acts 2. Luke describes the early church:
Key to bringing others to Christ is UNITY...note the use of "together" and "had everything in common".
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are awesome! You designed each of us to be different in terms of our gifts, abilities, faults, trials, etc. Yet You created a church that knits us together so that we can lean on You and on each other. How awesome is Your design...Your power...etc. You don't need me at all but You CHOSE me then died for me. I am not worth such love and blessing. I continue to be impatient, quick to anger, slow to listen, selfish, impatient, etc. Thank You that you love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus! Please help me turn from such sin and towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Help me love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.
"I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity." v22-23
Jesus continues to pray for the disciples and as He does, His prayer expands to include a prayer for all believers and that all believers be in unity. We not only need to be in unity so that we can best support and encourage one another, but also to serve others and bring others to Jesus...if we are unified consider how much more effective we would be in bringing others to Jesus. Too often we focus on what divides us but we should focus on what unites us. I am thinking of yet another verse from Acts 2. Luke describes the early church:
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. v42-47
Key to bringing others to Christ is UNITY...note the use of "together" and "had everything in common".
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are awesome! You designed each of us to be different in terms of our gifts, abilities, faults, trials, etc. Yet You created a church that knits us together so that we can lean on You and on each other. How awesome is Your design...Your power...etc. You don't need me at all but You CHOSE me then died for me. I am not worth such love and blessing. I continue to be impatient, quick to anger, slow to listen, selfish, impatient, etc. Thank You that you love me anyway but please forgive me Jesus! Please help me turn from such sin and towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Help me love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.
