That little baby born under a star is now approximately thirty-three years old. Jesus is preparing to leave and prays for His disciples and for you and I and the believers who will come after us. He prays for unity. That all who believe in Him might be one as He and God are one. The reason? That the world might know that Jesus was sent by God to this earth to love us as His Father loved Him. He desired that those God gave Him, which included not only the desciples but every believer to come after, would be with Him that they might see the glory given to Him by God. He also states that the world has not known God but He knew and those that God sent Him knew that He was from God.
Thought For Today:
I sat with coffee and watched the morning news. The “world” is in a mess this morning. Unspeakable tragedy abounds. Jesus knew when He was praying for us that the world was going to be ruled by the enemy and that we were going to need courage to overcome. The saying goes that there is strength in numbers. Jesus knew that we were going to need the strength and encouragement from likeminded believers to walk through the world. No matter what we see being played out in the world, we have a Savior who prayed for us while He was here. That tells me He is still praying for us as He sits at the right hand of the Father. There are believers all over this world of every nationality who are praying for a world gone mad and praying for all who believe that we might keep the faith, putting on the full armor of God and shining a light in the darkness. Believers in other parts of the world are being killed because they refuse to denonce Christ. Have we been tested in that way? Because we currently have the freedom of worship and speech, we must speak up. Believers should be unified in one cause…let the world hear the message of Jesus. We will not fear.
Scripture For Today:
John 17:20-26
20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. 24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. 26 And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” (NKJV)
Hebrews 13:5-6
5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (NKJV)
Prayer For Today:
Hello Father! This world is a scary place to reside right now. Help us to be strong and of good courage. We pray that we stand together as one worldwide and with boldness acknowledge our belief in Jesus without fear. We pray that those who have not met Him will find Him. We pray a barrier of peace and protection around believers worldwide. I pray this morning for those who will leave their homes and go to work in the places You have set them. May they shine with the brilliant light of Your love, patience and compassion to the public they serve. Forgive us our sins. In Jesus’ name.Amen.