Megan Evans, Women’s Ministry Director, LHBC
John 17:20-23 (NLT)
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. 22 “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 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.
Are you praying today for unity? Unity in our nation, cities, families, friends, neighborhoods…? The world needs prayer today and the world needs to see God’s love. Can a single believer make a difference? Yes! And, as believers are joined together forming the Body of Christ, God is glorified throughout the world. God revealed himself to the world through Jesus Christ and continues to show the world His love through Christ’s Body, the Church.
In John 17, Jesus prays for his disciples and future believers. Jesus prayed that we would experience a “perfect” or complete unity. As the Body of Christ, our unity would continue to reveal God’s glory and point the world to the saving knowledge and Truth of the Savior.
The body of Christ is strengthened as we join together in love and action. My garden produced a visible example of strength through unity and aides in illustrating God’s power through the Church today. Last spring, I hung a pot of Mandevillas in my garden, and I quickly realized this beautiful flowering vine needed a trellis. I forgot to add a climbing trellis, but over the next several weeks an amazing growth pattern occurred. The vines began to grow together. As weeks passed, the separate tendrils intertwined forming one large braid. What had once started out as separate threads of stem, now strengthened the entire plant as one unified vine. It thrived all summer and produced an amazing show of flowers!
Can a single believer make a difference to the world? Yes! However, sometimes it feels like we can’t. But that is the beauty of God’s love—individuals don’t often see the power of the unified vine. When we love, we strengthen the Body. Outreach opportunities aren’t just works, they are the body braided together for a louder display of God’s love. Life groups and Bible studies aren’t just things we do, they are lifelines of support and growth. Prayers aren’t empty words, they are communication with our Almighty God and rise as pleasing incense from the Body!
Do we truly grasp the love Jesus has for the Body? We see a glimpse as Jesus prays that we too might share in the unity He enjoys with the Father. Who are we that our Savior would invite us to abide in the protection and perfect unity of God? Jesus continued to pray in John 17:22-24, “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. Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!”
Will you take a moment today and intentionally pray for peace and unity? Will you pray for the world to see God’s glory? What outreach opportunities can you take part in this month?
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Father God, it is so humbling that you would want to reveal your glory through me. Keep me mindful that I am a member of Christ’s Body that the world gets to see. Temper my words and actions with God’s love. May my tone be kind and respectful to all. Give me boldness and discipline to make outreach a priority in my life. In Jesus Name, Amen.
MEMORY VERSE FOR THE WEEK:
Psalm 8:9
O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!