What Jesus Did! 'Departing Prayer for Unity' — John 17:11

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

[Jesus continued his prayer:] "Now I am departing from the world; [my disciples] are staying in this world, but I am coming to you. Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are."

Key Thought

The majority of Jesus' departing prayer is for his disciples. He wants God to keep them and care for them. He wants them to find God's peace among themselves. He wants them to be unified - as closely "in sync" as he and his Father are, and they are one. I can't imagine any other desire that has been more ignored than Jesus' desire for his followers' unity. Let's commit to being more united - in our personal relationships, in our congregations, and in our contact with other people of God all over the world.

Today's Prayer

Father, forgive us for our selfishness, pigheadedness, and arrogance. But please, dear God, don't just forgive us but use your Spirit to change us and unite us. Bring us to the truth and use us to minister to the lost world. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Ephesians 4:1-6, 11-16
  • Colossians 3:15
  • Romans 12:4-10

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

3 Related Resources by Heartlight

Illustration

Illustration of John 17:11 NLT — "Now I am departing from the world; [my disciples] are staying in this world, but I am coming to you.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
"Dear Father, guarantor of freedom, Help me to run well! Help me not to be hindered from obeying the truth! Don't let me be persuaded by a viewpoint....."
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
"O Lord, I have come to you for protection; don't let me be disgraced. Save me, for you do what is right. Turn your ear to listen to me; rescue me..."
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
"Seeing that we have such a God to trust to, let us rest upon him with all our weight; let us resolutely drive out all unbelief, and endeavour to get....."
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
"Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.