Almighty God, Creator of the Universe, we praise you! By your powerful word, all things came into existence. And by the word of your power, you hold all things together. You are the God who speaks. We worship you, The Word, who came down to earth in human flesh, speaking all the words the Father put in your mouth.
As your children we hear your voice calling to us by your Spirit in your Word. We say:
Speak Lord, for your servants are listening. Help us neither be ever hearing, but never understanding, nor ever seeing, but never perceiving as we read your Word. Amen
Scripture Reading - John 17:20-26 (ESV)
“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.
Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for your desire to be with us into eternity that we may see the Father's glory-producing love. Thank you for making known the Father to us, so that the love of the Father may be in us and that we may be in you. This is our hope - Christ in us the hope of glory!
We confess that as sinners we are not able to achieve this unity you desire and ask the Father for - that they may be one as we are one, I in them and you in me. We are dependent on your glory to effect this complete unity. By the cross, you have made a way for us to be perfectly one with you and the Father. Forgive us for the many ways we mar this unity by our sin. Show us your glory again today! Purify us, we pray.
Heavenly Father, we ask you to help us remain in Christ, one with you so that the world may believe you sent Jesus to be our Savior. Oh, how we long for the world to know your love, Father. show our family, neighbors, and friends your love for us. Pour out your love into our hearts by your Holy Spirit. Amen.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
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