The departing prayer of our Lord, Jesus’ greatest wish: “Now I am coming to you. I will not stay in the world now. But these men are still in the world. Holy Father, keep them safe. Keep them safe by the power of your name (the name you gave me), so that they will be one, the same as you and I are one.” – John 17:11 (ERV)
Jesus’ departing prayer was for his disciples! He wants God to keep them safe and care for them. Jesus wants his disciples to find God’s peace among themselves. He wants them to be unified as closely “in sync” as he and his Father are one. I can’t think of any other prayer that has been more ignored than Jesus’ prayer for his followers’ unity.
Christianity is fractured and divided against itself. And that’s just the way the devil wants it. Because lack of unity and meekness toward each other is tearing our families apart.
So let’s all make a commitment to be more united with God as Jesus. And let’s also be more united in our personal relationships and in our congregations. And also in our contact with other people of God all over the world. Because this is what Jesus wants for his disciples.