PRAYER FOR US TO BE UNITED IN CHRIST (JOHN 17:20-23)

REFLECTION The focus of our reflection today is “PRAYER FOR US TO BE UNITED IN CHRIST,” based on the profound intercession of our Lord in John 17:20-23. In this context, “Prayer” is our vital communication and alignment with God’s will, while “United” refers to a state of being joined together as an indivisible whole. To…

Jean-Paul Agidi

Feb 28, 2026

3–4 minutes

REFLECTION

The focus of our reflection today is “PRAYER FOR US TO BE UNITED IN CHRIST,” based on the profound intercession of our Lord in John 17:20-23. In this context, “Prayer” is our vital communication and alignment with God’s will, while “United” refers to a state of being joined together as an indivisible whole. To be “In Christ” means to exist within His authority, character, and Spirit. The central lesson is clear: Christian unity is not a mere human agreement, but a supernatural participation in the divine oneness of the Father and the Son.

The Essence of Divine Oneness

Jesus’ petition to the Father was not for a vague sense of friendliness, but for a transformative, organic union. He prayed: “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).

We must understand that this unity is the very foundation of our witness. When we are fractured by petty squabbles, power struggles, or favouritism, we obscure the face of Christ from a searching world. Our unity is meant to be a mirror of the Trinity. Just as the Father and Son are inseparable, our fellowship is incomplete—and frankly, powerless—without the indwelling glory of Jesus. We must realise that “we are because He is.” Without His glory as our glue, our gatherings are nothing more than social clubs.

The Power of the Shared Glory

Jesus reveals a startling truth: He has shared His divine glory with us specifically to facilitate this oneness. He declares, “I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one — I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity.” (John 17:22-23).

Consider the practical implications: A church divided by ego and internal politics is a church where the glory of God has been sidelined. When we prioritise our personal agendas over the Great Commission, we become like a house divided against itself. To be truly united in Christ, we must:

Abandon Competition: Stop the ungodly race for titles and influence.
Practice Radical Forgiveness: Resolve conflicts swiftly to maintain the bond of peace.
Submit to Divine Authority: As the apostles boldly stood before the Sanhedrin, we too must remember that “We must obey God rather than human beings!” (Acts 5:29).

Only when we are brought to “complete unity” will the world finally grasp the depth of God’s love. Our harmony is the loudest sermon we will ever preach, proving to the sceptic that Jesus is indeed “the way and the truth and the life.” (John 14:6).

Conclusion

In summary, our unity is a direct answer to the prayer of Jesus. It is sustained by His glory and serves as the primary evidence of God’s love to the world. We are called to move beyond mere tolerance into a deep, spiritual oneness that defies human logic.

Call to Action: I urge you today to examine your heart. Is there a brother or sister you have excluded? Is there a division you have helped foster? Repent of the pride that fuels disunity. Let us consciously choose to humble ourselves, seeking reconciliation so that the glory of God may rest powerfully upon His Church.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ. We ask that You knit our hearts together in perfect love. Strip away our pride, our prejudices, and our selfish ambitions. May Your glory dwell in our midst so that the world may see our unity and believe in Your saving grace. Bring us to complete oneness in Christ, our Lord. Amen.