That They May Be One

“I am not asking on behalf of them alone, but also on behalf of those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me. I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one—I in them and You in Me—that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me.” 
— John 17:20–23


On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus prayed not only for His disciples but for every believer who would come after them—including us. His request was striking: that we would be one, united in the same way He and the Father are united. This unity is not uniformity; it does not erase our personalities, cultures, or perspectives. Rather, it is a spiritual bond rooted in the shared life of God Himself. Unity is not merely a good idea—it is a testimony to the watching world that Jesus is who He says He is. When believers choose division over unity, our witness weakens; when we choose unity in Christ, the gospel is magnified.

To live into this prayer is to participate in Christ’s ongoing intercession for His people. Unity requires us to see others not through the lens of preference or opinion, but through the eyes of grace. It grows when we listen before judging, forgive before retreating, and choose love even when it costs us pride. Such unity can only flourish when our identity is rooted first in Jesus rather than in anything that competes for our loyalty. In a divided age, our oneness in Him becomes a quiet miracle—the evidence of divine love made visible.

Where have you seen unity strengthen the witness of the church, and where have you seen division hinder it? How might your relationships with other believers change if you viewed unity not as optional but as part of Christ’s command and prayer for His followers? What practical steps can you take to nurture spiritual unity in your congregation, your family, or your friendships this week?

Today, take a moment to pray specifically for unity within your local congregation or among believers in your community. Reach out to encourage a brother or sister in Christ who is from a different background or perspective. In a fractured age, our oneness in Jesus is both a gift to cherish and a responsibility to uphold.


Lord Jesus, 

Thank You for praying for me long before I was born. Help me to live in the unity You desire for Your people. Keep my focus on You so that I may work toward peace with my brothers and sisters, and let our oneness be a clear testimony to the world of Your love. 

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

-

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