Read John 17:20-26

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also 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. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one — 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.

"Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.

"Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them."

Reflect

Notice how many words and images of unity Jesus uses in this part of his prayer. Why do you think unity is so important to Jesus? (Hint: Remember that we worship a God who is "three in one.")

Respond

What do you do to build a sense of unity with other believers? How might you start to build more of this unity? What's one thing you can do today to extend your unity with the believers you live and worship with? Ask God for the courage to do it.