Today's Verse - John 17:20-21

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

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Few things are more precious than knowing that on the night he was betrayed, Jesus not only prayed for his first disciples, but also for us who have come to believe because of their testimony! So often, we read the words of John 17:1-26 and study them as a prayer for Jesus' apostles in the upper room. However, if we examine this prayer closely, we see that Jesus also prays for us, for you and me, who believe in Jesus because of the apostles' message. He knew us, looked forward to us being his disciples, and prayed for us on the night he was betrayed. And, dear friend of the Savior, the LORD wants us to be one! He wants us to live with the same unity, purpose, and character of God that he, as the Son, did. If we do not live and love in unity, then how will the world know that God sent his Son? Notice how Jesus ties our unity to the world, knowing the Father sent him — John 17:21, 23. How will they know what to believe? How will they find Jesus as their Savior? We must be one!

My Prayer...

Father, forgive us, change us, and help us see what is most important in our lives as your disciples. Break down the barriers that divide us into different religious groups and help us find unity around the One who matters most to all of us, Jesus. It is in his name that we pray for us to be one, just as our Savior prayed on the night he was betrayed. Amen.

Today's Verse - Isaiah 43:1

But now, this is what the LORD says — he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine."

—Isaiah 43:1

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

We belong to the LORD, God of all creation, and the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We are his (1 Peter 2:9-10). We are recipients of God's grace and are blessed by his love for Israel's fathers, along with physical Israel (Romans 11:28). We don't have to fear because God is in control of our future, just as he worked through the history of his chosen people to send the Messiah. God will accompany us through the difficult trials we will face. He will make sure our redemption is realized. Why? Because we belong to him. We are his. He knows us. He formed us. God's people are his possession forever. We are children of the almighty and the eternal God!

Video Commentary...

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My Prayer...

Almighty and Sovereign LORD — God of our fathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob — we praise you for your faithfulness to your promises. We thank you for your redemptive work through many generations. We deeply appreciate you sending your Son and our Messiah to redeem us. We praise you for inspiring the Scriptures to teach us your truth. Please know that we are deeply grateful for the blessing of belonging to you and for knowing that we can trust our future with you. Please bless us, your people, with an awe-filled sense of your abiding presence and use us to bring you glory. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Today's Verse - John 17:18

As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.

—John 17:18

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

Jesus' words to his disciples shortly after he appeared to them following his resurrection remind us of an incredibly significant truth about our place in God's world. We are not here by accident! God has a purpose and plan for each one of us. He has had this plan for us since our conception (Psalm 139:13-16), and he wants to reawaken us to our significance in his kingdom mission now that we are disciples. Jesus has sent us into the world to touch it with his redemptive love and make a positive impact on others so they can discover the love God has for them. We are not just saved FROM sin, death, and hell (Ephesians 2:1-5); we are saved FOR redemptive work in the world (Ephesians 2:10; Philippians 3:13). Jesus didn't just SAVE us; he also SENT us to continue his work of redeeming a lost world!

My Prayer...

O LORD God Almighty, please give me wisdom and courage to see your will for my life and know I am sent to be your servant of grace to the lost world. In Jesus' name, I pray that I can live into your plan for my life in your world. Amen.