4/3/14- Jesus' Prayer for Oneness

20“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23I 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. (John 17:20-23)

Thoughts: Jesus makes it clear He not only is praying for the disciples around Him who may be listening in, but He is also praying for those who will follow Him in the future (us).  His prayer is that we would be one.  Jesus answers many of our prayers.  We have the opportunity to answer Jesus' prayer by loving each other, and seeking unity beyond our differences in belief, differences in looks, differences in gender.  There are no caveats here.  Jesus does not say oneness except for when they are proud, or when they live in different places, or speak different languages, or believe different secondary things.  In the 21st century we are quick to divide the body of Christ as if we can cut off an arm.  Jesus separates the wheat from the chaff at judgment- we do not have to divide now (Mt. 13:24-30).  Jesus had said earlier (Jn. 13:34,35) that His disciples were to love each other, and He balances that love with His teaching on truth in the last chapters of John, He is the truth who calls us to love.  Oneness (unlike what "oneness" involves in some religions) is not being "one with yourself" but it is really being one outside of yourself- in one mind with God, and in one mind with others. 

Prayer: Lord, May your love and your truth abide in me.  Give me grace to love my brothers and sisters in Christ. 

  

7/21/13- A Prayer for Protection and Unity

 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world,and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one.  (John 17:11)

Thoughts: Jesus prayed for two things that Christians continue to struggle for- protection and unity.  Perhaps He knew we would struggle and wrestle for these two things that continue to tear at the edges of the Church, so He prayed for them.  It is especially important to note that Jesus publicly prayed these things in the hearing of his disciples as one of the last things he did on this earth.  Some say this was another part of his prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane where he prayed so hard drops of blood fell from him.  The unity and protection of his children-his disciples- his little brothers and sisters was important to Christ.
    The protection and unity of the Church finds power in the name of Jesus Christ- the name given Him by the Father.  Jesus means the Lord saves, while Christus is a title meaning the anointed one.  We do not need to be afraid to mention the name of Jesus- for it is our power and strength that protects us and unites us.
    If Jesus prayed for these things- we should also pray for and work for these things.  

Prayer: Lord, protect and unite your Church by the power of your name.  

Christ praying in the Garden of Gethsemane- Gethsemane was the place of olive presses- where different olives were pressed and united into one oil container. So we are pressed and made to be one.  It is harder for the church to be united in times of real peace and prosperity.