Day 227/260: Read John 17

Are the things you pray for important to you? Do you want to see those prayers answered in a positive manner? Do you work to accomplish a positive outcome for those things?

If you consider your prayers important, should you consider the prayers of the Son of God important as well? Do you want to see Jesus’ prayers answered in a positive manner? Are you working to accomplish a positive outcome for His requests?

Jesus prayed for unity among His followers, even in the shadow of the cross. This was just prior to the betrayal in the garden, before He was arrested and taken before the authorities, before He was sentenced to death by crucifixion. In spite of the physical horrors that lay before Him, Jesus prayed for “those who will believe in Me through (the apostles’) word.” He prayed for you and He prayed for me. That should humble us, that the Lord was thinking about us as He faced extreme persecution.

There was unity in the early church. Immediately following the establishment of the church, Luke says that “they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42). Notice that the unity was based upon the teaching of the apostles, those who were led into all truth by the Spirit of truth (John 16:13).

Are we still working toward unity based upon the truth? Are we seeking a positive outcome for the Lord’s prayer?

Memory (Copy into a notebook 5-10 times)

John 17:17. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

Pray

Pray for the unity of the Lord’s followers today.