"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)
Friday, June 7, 2024 - Day 159 (Through the Bible in a year readings for today: 2 Chron. 26-28; John 17)
MAKE US ONE
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” (John 17:20-23 ESV)
In His high priestly prayer, Jesus is asking God the Father to grant unity to His disciples. The same prayer fits for His disciples today, the Christian Church. The reason for this prayer is for the sake of Christ’s followers themselves, so that we may witness well to the world around us. Jesus’ ultimate desire is that all may come to believe that the Father sent Jesus to be the Savior of mankind.
The Holy Spirit works through the Word and the sacraments to unite us in our common Christian faith. The devil also works hard to divide us. However, we who have been given faith in the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting, do not have to listen to the enemy. Instead, we repeat Christ’s prayer, and sing other prayers, like this one:
As we gather together in Your Son,
Let us know the joy of being one!
Let the time we share in this place
Be a time of love and friendship in Your grace.
By Your Spirit help us be One in faith and unity.
Bless us here as we gather in Your Son.
Give us joy, Grant us peace, Make us one!
(By Tim Frusti)
Lord, make Your people one so that we can speak of Your love with a united voice. In Jesus’ saving name. And as ever, THY WILL BE DONE. Amen.
Pastor David Paape
Daily Bible Reading Chart covering the entire Bible in one year.
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