Today's Verse: John 17:20-21

Wednesday, July 19, 1961

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.
— John 17:20-21
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Few things are more precious than knowing that on the night he was betrayed, Jesus not only prayed for his first disciples, but also for us who have come to believe because of their testimony! So often, we read the words of John 17:1-26 and study them as a prayer for Jesus' apostles in the upper room. However, if we examine this prayer closely, we see that Jesus also prays for us, for you and me, who believe in Jesus because of the apostles' message. He knew us, looked forward to us being his disciples, and prayed for us on the night he was betrayed. And, dear friend of the Savior, the Lord wants us to be one! He wants us to live with the same unity, purpose, and character of God that he, as the Son, did. If we do not live and love in unity, then how will the world know that God sent his Son? Notice how Jesus ties our unity to the world, knowing the Father sent him - John 17:21, 23. How will they know what to believe? How will they find Jesus as their Savior? We must be one!

My Prayer...

Father, forgive us, change us, and help us see what is most important in our lives as your disciples. Break down the barriers that divide us into different religious groups and help us find unity around the One who matters most to all of us, Jesus. It is in his name that we pray for us to be one, just as our Savior prayed on the night he was betrayed. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

12 Related Resources by Heartlight

Jesus Prayed for Our Unity, So Let's Pursue It
Devo: Spiritual Warfare
"I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just....."
Jesus Prayed for You and Me!
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"[Jesus continued his prayer:] "I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray..."
That They May Be One
Illustration of John 17:20
Inspirational illustration of John 17:20 --
The Immovable Ladder
Article by Tim Archer
The ladder has been there since the 18th century! A ladder sits outside a window of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The ladder has been in place for over 250 years; there are writings from the 18th century that mention it. No one really knows where it came from. Nobody uses it. The ladder
See All 12 Related Resources about John 17:20-21

Illustration

Illustration of John 17:20-21 — 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.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, July 19, 1961

Quotemeal
A daily dose of Christian quotes to inspire and encourage.
Quote by Author Unknown:
"If the world were like me, what kind of a world would this world be?"
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: Proverbs 1:33
"Divine love is rendered conspicuous when it shines in the midst of judgments. Fair is that lone star which smiles through the rifts of the thunder..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Moving Out'
"Dear Faithful Follower, One of the marks of Our — Father, Son, and Spirit's — people has been their acceptance of "moving out," that is,...."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
1 John 1:7
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

More Today's Verse