Christian Unity

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Scripture: John 17:20-23 (ESV)

20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 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. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

Devotion:

            Today marks the end of “The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity”. This week churches of all denominational stripes come together in prayer that we may be united in Christ despite our differences in beliefs and practice. Together we hold up the teaching found in John’s gospel above as an ideal for which we can strive.

            The devil has certainly been effective in his campaign to spread disunity in the body of Christ. That is why it is so crucial in our day to strive toward unity when and where we can. We as Christians need to see that we are part of something that the devil is very scared of. If only we could see the church the way that God and Satan see it, we would be much more confident in our faith. The truth is that we who name the name of Jesus as our Lord and savior throughout all of time and in every place appear as a supernatural army of God.

            If only for a moment we were allowed to glimpse this power that is ours as Christ followers, we would be blown away at that sight. For all our differences we have the same God, the same Savior Jesus Christ, and the same Holy Spirit dwelling in all of us. As the scripture teaches, we have one faith, one Lord, one baptism. (Ephesians 4:5) We should therefore, march together as one to defeat the enemies of God. Not flesh and blood enemies do we strive against, but spiritual wickedness that rules this present darkness we are in.

            We must love on another across all man made divisions in our one holy, catholic faith. Our prayers must be united in looking to build up the kingdom of God here on earth as we await the return of our savior to permanently defeat our common enemy, the devil. Our love for the brothers and sisters in all places and all times must be made plain for the watching world to see. Let us pray for the unity which Jesus prayed for so long ago.

Prayer:

            O Lord, we come before you confessing to you that we have often rejected the unity which you prayed for in the upper room. Help us instead of stressing our differences let us acknowledge that we are truly one in our faith in you. Teach us to be attentive to our brothers and sisters in the faith. Leaning in to what we hold in common. Lord make us one in you just as you prayed, we would be so long ago. Help us toward a kingdom where all who name your name are accepted as brothers and sisters. Amen.

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