1THE GLORY OF ONENESS

In John 17, Jesus prayed that the church would be given His glory: “And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one,” and "The glory which You gave Me I have given them." There should be a shared glory among believers, the glory of the present Christ. A focus on Jesus in our presence will bring about unity. David said in Psalm 8, that God crowned mankind with glory and honor; and though we don't see the effect of the glory, we see Jesus. He was made lower than the angels for a while, now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death for everyone (Heb.2:6-10). The glory of Jesus, is a glory that comes from suffering and humility. Jesus' glory, the glory as of the only begotten Son (Joh.1:14), given to Him by the Father, often appeared humble, weak and suffering, and was ultimately displayed in sacrifice. The glory of the indwelling Spirit of Christ becomes visible in oneness, when Christians who have died to themselves and have taken up their cross, lay down their agenda, their ambitions and their preferences. The glory of Christ in us is far greater than any earthly glory, and way different than what we expect it to be.

Each day we will focus on the different aspects of becoming one. First becoming one with God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. Secondly, becoming one with our brothers and sisters in the Body of Jesus Christ, the Church. Thirdly, our role as peacemakers in the world around us. Daily prayer points focus first on our own individual lives (ME), then on the Church (US), and then on the world (THEM).

PRAYER POINTS

ME: Do you long to see Christ's glory? Do you long to be one with Christian brothers and sisters? Are you willing to be made one with Christ in His suffering so that you can share His glory? Ask God the Father to make you truly one with Christ and with other believers, whatever the cost.

US: Pray for the Church to long for the fullness of Christ to be expressed in the unity amongst believers. Pray for church leaders to understand how essential it is to work for unity.

THEM: Pray that through the unity of the Church, the world will come to believe that God the Father has sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to save the world, not to condemn it.

Remember your John 17 memory verse.

“Suffering does not automatically bring glory to God. Some believers have fainted and fallen in times of trial and have brought shame to the name of Christ. It is only when we depend on the grace of God that we can glorify God in times of suffering.” - Warren W. Wiersbe