Did you know that Jesus prayed specifically for you and me? In his last days on the earth he prayed for his disciples, then turned his attention all of us who came later:

I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, just as you are in me and I am in you…I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Jesus prayed for unity among all his followers. Honestly, I ain’t seen much of that over the years. But if Jesus prayed it, seems like I should try to follow him in that direction.

I can listen to my fellow believers, engage in theological hospitality, reserve judgement and disagree with respect. Practice loving by faith, and those outside our churches begin to take notice. Not much goodwill emerges from our societal discourses. A broad variety of professing Christians, focused together on Jesus, points to a hopeful direction.

Lord, knit us together. Today make me a small answer to your prayer for unity with my brothers and sisters in Christ.

John 17 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Brian Wangenheim