Christ's Prayer for Christian Unity

The Church of the Most Holy Trinity ~ Augusta, GA

 

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—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.  John 17: 20-23

 

We are so honored to know our Savior’s prayer to God on the night before His betrayal, the night before His crucifixion.  No words of mine can do justice to the depth and significance of Jesus’ prayer in John 17.  I do believe that His prayer represents the deepest desires of His heart.

 

Our Lord knew the hour had come and He poured His heart out to His Father.  And what did He pray for?  Not for Himself.  Not a word like we would have prayed…no cries for mercy…no cries for strength.  No.  He prayed for His followers. 

 

“That they may all be one…”   

 

Jesus prayed for His disciples as well as those who would believe in Him through all ages because of their testimony. 

 

Jesus prayed that there be unity in the body of Christ, the Church.

 

He prays for us to have the love of the Father in us so that we will love the brethren and bear witness to the world.

 

Yet, in reality, there is so much prejudice in the Christian bodies within the Church.  We all have preconceived notions, misconceptions, suspicions about so many situations and peoples, in general, but also, we have them about other believers, other denominations, other traditions within the body of Christ.   

 

…see that you love one another with a pure heart fervently.  1 Peter 1:22b

 

 

That doesn’t mean love only fellow Catholics, or Baptists, or Methodists, or Presbyterians.

 

I have found that people really don’t care that much about my philosophies or theology—I’m not saying that these are not important to me personally because they are.  What I'm saying is this--what people really want to know about is a relationship with Jesus Christ.  They are encouraged by our love for Him and for one another.

 

I am inspired by Christ’s ideal of unity and love.  I hope you will read John 17 for yourself and be encouraged and inspired this holy season.

 

…then the world will know.

I pray that you are blessed this Easter season and inspired by Christ's love for you.  Thanks for visiting Write Moments with God.  Please feel free to leave your comments below.  I love to hear from you.