John 17:11
11 And I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one.
We live in a contentious age. We experience this in our own country where the war of words and open conflicts in society continue on a daily basis. Furthermore, we see contention in news reports from around the world where people battle with words and weapons in the most violent ways. We live in a contentious age. Disunity reigns.
It is no wonder that Jesus prays for the unity of His disciples. Jesus prayed for the unity of the disciples who were gathered around Him during His earthly ministry and He prays for the unity of His church of all time. Yes, Jesus prays for you! Against the warring spirit of this age, Jesus prays for our Unity with one another, through God’s name. This true unity is a blessing for us, and the key to success in our calling to share the Gospel of Jesus with all nations.
Because the Gospel is so important for all people, and because our Lord Jesus loves His people, He prays for our protection from the ruin of the present age through disunity. Jesus prayed that we would be kept in God’s name and protected in this present age. When Jesus instituted Holy Baptism, He provided the means for this to happen.
When we were baptized, we were baptized in the Name of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Through the gift of baptism, we are united with Jesus, and through Jesus we are one with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Thus made one with God, we are daily made one with each other in His church. Through the power of His name, God protects us from the destructive spirit of this age. He allows us to experience the Grace of our Father, the guiding power of the Holy Spirit, and the forgiveness of our Lord Jesus. As we share what we are receiving from God, the warring spirit of this age is overcome by the rule and reign of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The disunity of our age, and the attacks of the evil one will rage on in this world. But, we are not discouraged. For we are securely kept by the name of God, the name that we received in our baptism. In the power of that name we live each day, repenting of our sins, forgiving one another, and sharing the Gospel of Jesus with all nations.
And should you have a particularly contentious day, remember this. Jesus prays for you. And find comfort in these words of blessing spoken after each baptism, at confirmation, and now for you; “May God the Father who has given you the new birth of water and the Spirit, and has forgiven you all your sins, strengthen you with His Grace to life everlasting. Peace be with you. Amen”
Let us pray,
I thank you Lord Jesus for showing me what true unity looks like in your perfect life of faith, obedience to my Heavenly Father’s Loving Will to save me, and the gift of the continuing presence of God the Holy Spirit in your church to this day. Strengthen me daily in repentance, and faithful living. Grant me a heartfelt love for others and an appreciation of every gift of unity that you provide. I thank you for the gift of my baptism. AMEN
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come,Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.