Friday, March 13, 2009

Jesus' Prayer

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 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. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” John 17:20-23 NIV

Did you know that Jesus prayed for you? He did! Before He was arrested, He prayed for Himself, His disciples and then for all believers for all time - that includes you and me.

What did He pray for us? Of all the things He could have prayed for you and me, He prayed for unity. Jesus knew of the destruction that bitter divisions within the Church causes. So, He prayed against it.

Almost from the beginning of the early Church, there have been divisions. This is the direct result of failure among Christians to agree to disagree and focus on what makes us similar instead of focusing on what makes us different. Unity, according to Jesus' prayer, is what will convince the world not only of the mission of Jesus Christ, but also of God's love for people and for Christ. So, how has Jesus' prayer affected your life?

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