John 17:20-26
“The glory that You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one even as We are one.” – John 17:22
To understand a person’s view of God, listen to their prayers. Do they seek only wealth and comfort, or do they intercede for others’ salvation? Do they approach God like a business deal or with the trust of a child speaking to a loving Father?
In John 17, we hear Jesus praying just before His betrayal, suffering, and crucifixion. Yet, His focus is not on Himself but on His disciples—and on all who would one day believe in Him, including you and me.
From eternity past, before the foundation of the world, Jesus and the Father have shared a perfect, loving union (v. 24). Now, He prays that we too may be one—just as He is in the Father and the Father in Him—so the world may believe that the Father sent Him (vv. 21, 23). If we as Christ’s disciples truly desire for the world to recognise Jesus as Savior, the key is unity. That’s why Jesus prayed for all believers to be one. One of Satan’s most effective strategies is disunity—starting in families, spreading through society, and tragically even infiltrating the Church. In The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis illustrates this through fictional letters from a senior demon, Screwtape, who advises his nephew to sow division among Christians. Screwtape urges him to keep believers focused on petty disputes, denominational differences, and personal grievances rather than on love, unity, and truth. Sadly, this tactic remains just as effective today.
But all is not lost. The antidote is Love (vv.23, 26). Love is the thread that binds us together in unity. Paul writes: Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. (Col 3:14) Throughout his letters, Paul also repeatedly emphasises that we are one body in Christ and exhorted people of God to be “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ” (Eph 4:3)
Reflection:
How is your relationship with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ? Are there any personal grievances or disagreements with others that have caused division and disunity between brothers and sisters and you?
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the perfect love and unity shared between You and Your Son, Jesus. Help us, as Christ’s disciples, to reflect that unity in our lives. Forgive us. Remove from us any spirit of division, pride, or selfishness in our midst, and bind us together with your love.
Teach us to seek unity in our churches and FMC community so that the world may see Christ in us and believe that He is the Savior You have sent. Strengthen us against the enemy’s schemes and fill our hearts with humility, patience, and your love in our relationship with each other.
Help us to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace, just as Jesus prayed for us. In His precious name, we pray. Amen.
To understand a person’s view of God, listen to their prayers. Do they seek only wealth and comfort, or do they intercede for others’ salvation? Do they approach God like a business deal or with the trust of a child speaking to a loving Father?
In John 17, we hear Jesus praying just before His betrayal, suffering, and crucifixion. Yet, His focus is not on Himself but on His disciples—and on all who would one day believe in Him, including you and me.
From eternity past, before the foundation of the world, Jesus and the Father have shared a perfect, loving union (v. 24). Now, He prays that we too may be one—just as He is in the Father and the Father in Him—so the world may believe that the Father sent Him (vv. 21, 23). If we as Christ’s disciples truly desire for the world to recognise Jesus as Savior, the key is unity. That’s why Jesus prayed for all believers to be one. One of Satan’s most effective strategies is disunity—starting in families, spreading through society, and tragically even infiltrating the Church. In The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis illustrates this through fictional letters from a senior demon, Screwtape, who advises his nephew to sow division among Christians. Screwtape urges him to keep believers focused on petty disputes, denominational differences, and personal grievances rather than on love, unity, and truth. Sadly, this tactic remains just as effective today.
But all is not lost. The antidote is Love (vv.23, 26). Love is the thread that binds us together in unity. Paul writes: Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. (Col 3:14) Throughout his letters, Paul also repeatedly emphasises that we are one body in Christ and exhorted people of God to be “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ” (Eph 4:3)
Reflection:
How is your relationship with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ? Are there any personal grievances or disagreements with others that have caused division and disunity between brothers and sisters and you?
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the perfect love and unity shared between You and Your Son, Jesus. Help us, as Christ’s disciples, to reflect that unity in our lives. Forgive us. Remove from us any spirit of division, pride, or selfishness in our midst, and bind us together with your love.
Teach us to seek unity in our churches and FMC community so that the world may see Christ in us and believe that He is the Savior You have sent. Strengthen us against the enemy’s schemes and fill our hearts with humility, patience, and your love in our relationship with each other.
Help us to make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace, just as Jesus prayed for us. In His precious name, we pray. Amen.