One Heart - Father Let Them Be Oneنموونە

FATHER LET THEM BE ONE

"I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one, just as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me." John 17:20-21 ESV

One of the last prayers Jesus Christ prayed while He walked this earth as a human being is recorded in John 17:20b - 22 (NIV) “… I pray that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us.” Jesus also said in John 13, that if we love one another the world will know that we are His disciples. To truly love one another we need to intentionally reach out to one another. The Word says that if we know our brother has something against us, we need to go and make right. It is time to acknowledge, repent and make right the sins of the past or in some cases to forgive as the Lord forgave you (Colossians 3:13).

The unity Jesus prayed for is very difficult to achieve because Christians all over the world are so fractured and divided. What must encourage us, however, is that if He prayed it, it must be possible. Time and time again there are testimonies of God’s Spirit breaking through all the divisions, as we surrender to Him, die to self, and choose love. It is only when we do that, that we see how the love that covers a multitude of sins starts flowing through us to bring healing and wholeness. It is a daily decision. May we become less, so that He can become more; so that we can be one with Him and one another; so that the world may know that we are truly His disciples.

As Christians we owe the world a testimony. Let us move from fear, hatred and distrust to rebuilding the ruined walls, as in Nehemiah’s time, helping each other to overcome the past and walking in faith, believing that the King of Kings is still empowering us. Let us celebrate our shared identity in Christ. Let us rejoice in our achievements attained by the grace of God, while expecting future accomplishments in line with our potential and the possibilities presented … as we serve one another to the benefit of all.

John 17 was Jesus' prayer for His disciples the night before He was betrayed. It is still His prayer today. We would like to encourage you to memorise the chapter of John 17 or at least the verses that speak to your heart, to pray it daily and to ask that Jesus' prayer would be fulfilled in you and through you.

PRAYER POINTERS

ME: Pray John 17:1-17 aloud. Then bow before the Lord and ask Him to set you apart for the duration of this prayer guide.

US: Pray John 17:1-17 corporately in your congregation and trust our heavenly Father that He will answer the prayer of His Son Jesus Christ, and of us, His children, to make us one.

THEM: Pray that the unbelievers in your nation will hear the good news that God loves them and made a way through Jesus Christ so that they can be reconciled with God.

The most valuable possession you can own is an open heart. The most powerful weapon you can be is an instrument of peace. — Carlos Santana