Praying Scripture – 11/14/2020

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

Father, Just as Jesus came before You, seeking your glory, today I come to You seeking the same thing. I thank You that Jesus has revealed who You are and what You are like. I thank You that Your Spirit dwells in Your people. But I also confess that at times I do not seek unity with and in Your body. Our world is so filled with division and too often I am part of that problem. In the middle of a pandemic, where I have good reasons to keep my distance, it is easy to avoid those who think differently rather than to build bridges and strengthen relationships. Indirectly and unintentionally, I sometimes undermine the unity of Your body. Lord, forgive me. Root out of my heart that which draws me away from You, especially that which leads to disunity in Your church. Make me an instrument of Your grace. Help me not to ignore injustice and sin. Before I speak or act, though, help me first to look in the mirror rather than to point a finger in blame. Remind me of Your love for those with whom I disagree and help me to treat them as those who are dearly loved. Help me to never forget that I too fall short and that it is only by Your Son that I myself can come into Your presence. Then, if You are calling me to speak or act, help me to do so out of Your truth and love. May my words and my actions, as well as those You tell me to hold back, contribute to a unity in Your church that it cannot achieve on its own. It is only by Your Spirit that we can live as You would have us live. Create in each of us individually and in Your church as a whole a clean heart. Lead each of us to lives that honor and glorify You in all we do. May the world then see who You are and know that You have sent Your people as instruments of Your love and peace rather than anger or division. May You be glorified in all I say and do. In Your holy Son’s name I pray. Amen.