Jesus’ Prayer For The Unity Of Believers

I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 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.

John 17:20-21

In this month when we celebrate Jesus coming to this earth, we should remember Jesus’ purpose in coming. Shortly before his arrest, Jesus prayed that those who believed in him would become united in their love for God and each other. This would show the world that Jesus was truly sent by God himself. Christian unity is not uniformity—every believer marching in lockstep; nor is it expediency, sweeping significant issues aside. As Jesus prayed here, real Christian unity is imitating the intimate communion the Father and the Son share. It is a dynamic unity—a complementary relationship of give-and-take, a sharing of life and purpose. This is the union that Jesus prayed for his disciples.

Jesus’ prayer is answered whenever we show love to our fellow believers in matters both great and small.

• Dear Father, help me to live in unity with other believers so that the world will believe in you . . .