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Why Unity Matters: The Heart of Jesus
In one of the few recorded prayers we have of Jesus, He prayed specifically for unity of His future followers: “I pray that they will all be one …” (John 17:21). Why did He want that? He went on to pray, “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” (John 17:23).
First Timothy 2:1–4 indicates that God’s desire is for all people to be saved. And that happens best—according to Scripture—when His people are in unity, working, fellowshipping, and praying together.
Looking historically at revival and spiritual awakening in the United States, we find that a key element that launched those moves of God was unity. Churches started praying together, seeking God for their communities and nation. In the prayer meeting revival of the late 1850s, believers from many different churches started meeting in noontime prayer meetings across cities, not caring about the “tribes” with which they shouldn’t mingle. That had a common goal and vision.
God is at work to tear down those walls that divide the denominational (and nondenominational) tribes for the sake of the gospel. Pastors need to be less concerned about what intermingling might do to theological purity and be more concerned with what unity will do for the sake of lost souls.
Give thanks to the Father: I praise and thank you, Lord Jesus, that in you “we are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other” (Romans 12:5)
Listen for the Holy Spirit’s prompting for confession: Forgive me, Lord, for not crossing barriers to love beyond my comfort zone; extend your life and love through me to those unlike me.
Join Jesus in prayers of petition: Father God, help us to keep our focus on eternal priorities, that in them we might “all agree and that there be no divisions among [us]” (1 Corinthians 1:10).
Proclaim promises from His Word: Holy Spirit, make my life an answer to the high-priestly prayer of Jesus: “Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are” (John 17:11).
Engage with other Jesus-followers in a lifestyle of prayer: Look for ways to pray with pastors and believers from other tribes.
About this Plan
Jesus is praying for this country and He invites you to join Him! Recall an image of Jesus you’ve likely seen—Jesus, on His knees, praying. Imagine leaning in to listen to what He is praying and you hear Jesus speaking our country’s name. Experience Jesus’ heart for America as you declare freedom and passion to love the Lord, claim Bible promises for the country’s future intercede for spiritual growth and witness, and become an answer to your own prayers.
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