Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me (John 17:11; 21-23 NLT).
So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up (Romans 14:19 NLT).
In John, chapter 17, we see Jesus praying for us--praying that we would be united in Him, bound together by our faith in Him, and obedient to God, the Father. In Romans chapter 14, the Apostle Paul reminds us to be unified.
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for the work that You did on the cross--reconciling us to the Father and bringing us into right relationship with Him. Thank You for bringing us together as one church. Jesus, though the work of the cross is finished, there is growing division among believers. Jesus, please unite Your church! By Your Spirit, convict our hearts; call us to repentance and remove strife, pettiness, resentment, confusion, and hate from every person that calls upon Your name. Cleanse our hearts and hands with Your precious blood. Help us, Jesus, to see each other the way You see us! Help us to love each other the way You love us, Jesus! We ask for perfect unity, not for our own glory, but so that others will see You in us and be saved! Help us to walk in love and serve each other! Jesus, thank You for Your prayers for us! Thank You for interceding for us and calling us to be united in You! In Jesus’s name, amen!
|