Read John 17:9-11, 20-21
9 “My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given me, because they belong to you. 10 All who are mine belong to you, and you have given them to me, so they bring me glory. 11 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.
20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 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. (NLT)
Discover
1. Who did Jesus pray for in these verses?
2. What did He specifically pray for?
3. How did Jesus’ relationship with the Father represent this?
Respond
Earlier this week, we saw part of Jesus’ prayer before He was tried and crucified. Today shows us another glimpse of this prayer, both for His disciples and for us to be united as one. The disciples were a very diverse group. They came from different economic, political, social, and ethnic backgrounds and didn’t always agree. But Jesus prayed for their unity and ours. Why? Because it’s mission critical.
This is why, as a church, we stay on message. We embrace our diversity because what makes us strong is our different perspectives that are unified around the person and message of Jesus Christ. You’re an essential part of this mission.
Here are next steps to help you process your role in it:
How You Can Pray
Thank God for the diversity of His creation, including the people around you – those who look and think like you and those who don’t. Confess where you’ve let your own perspectives blind you to the greater goal of unity in the church. Ask God to help you see others in the church as your brothers and sisters in Christ, uniting with them in your love for Jesus.
What You Can Do
Take an intentional step to pray for and serve someone who comes from a different background or perspective than you. If needed, have a “bridge building” conversation with someone you’ve been in conflict with, acknowledging any part you’ve had in allowing the enemy to create division between you.