“My prayer is not for them alone, I also pray for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be One, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You.” John 17:20-21
The above verse is in the final portion of Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer where He prays for Himself, then for His Disciples, and finally for all believers, and this includes you and me! The Prayer comes just before Jesus is arrested and taken to the cross. It is a pivotal moment in the ministry of Jesus as He prepares to go back to the Father. The timing of this prayer, its contents and fervency emphasize the importance of prayer, especially in the face of trial and tribulation.
The main petition in this part of the Prayer is for Oneness. Jesus prays for us to be One in the same way He and the Father are One. This is a divine mystery that impresses the unity we have in Christ and also the unity we have with one another. Such unity is encouraging especially when we face challenges in this fallen world. We are reminded that we are never alone. God is with us, but so are our Brothers and Sisters in Christ.
Very often in this life when we are facing trials, we do so alone, thinking that we are weak if we rely on others. This is a lie of the devil seeking to divide us from the truth of our Oneness in Christ. When we share our burdens, we become stronger, indeed others become stronger as they relate to our challenges and join us in prayer and encouragement. In a world full of division, we can take comfort and strength knowing that we have God and the Christian community on our side.
On another note, let us thank God this day for the men and women who have selflessly served us as Veterans of this great country. They made sure that we are not alone when facing challenges!
Know that you are loved!
Peace and Joy,
Pastor Kilian