So That They Can Be One Just As We Are One

Jesus' High Priestly Prayer, Part 3

John 17:20-26 | 1 Corinthians 1:10

What a beautiful prayer.

Remember the context: the disciples don’t really know what’s going on or what’s about to happen. Judas has taken off on his own to betray Jesus. Jesus likely could predict that the disciples will soon scatter when things get real.

…and he prays for unity in the times to come.

It’s a powerful prayer and such a needed one.

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John 17:20-26

“I’m not praying only for them but also for those who believe in me because of their word. I pray they will be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. I pray that they also will be in us, so that the world will believe that you sent me. I’ve given them the glory that you gave me so that they can be one just as we are one. I’m in them and you are in me so that they will be made perfectly one. Then the world will know that you sent me and that you have loved them just as you loved me.

“Father, I want those you gave me to be with me where I am. Then they can see my glory, which you gave me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

“Righteous Father, even the world didn’t know you, but I’ve known you, and these believers know that you sent me. I’ve made your name known to them and will continue to make it known so that your love for me will be in them, and I myself will be in them.”

1 Corinthians 1:10

Now I encourage you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Agree with each other and don’t be divided into rival groups. Instead, be restored with the same mind and the same purpose.

Prayer

God,

Draw me nearer to my brothers & sisters in Christ. I’ve been so taught to understand differences that often I neglect our call to unity for a presumed uniformity. Wrap us together in your love which both transcends differences and binds together.

Yet I understand that not all things are within your Kingdom. So give me a wisdom and discernment, empowered by your love and desire for the Church to be one.

By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.