“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. “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. 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. Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began! [John 17.20-24]
When Jesus' prayer (the real Lord's Prayer) found in John 17 is examined for content, His main request to God is for unity. While Jesus makes many revealing statements and declarations in the prayer, His requests are few.
Even before the passage noted above, John 17.11 records Jesus' request: "Now I am departing from the world; they are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. 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.
No doubt about it, Jesus was praying for unity.
Is it any wonder that unity is a precious rare commodity in the Church today?
Father, help us to 'get it' that unity was and it the main theme of the true Lord's Prayer!
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