Lord, help us through this

HELP US BE UNITED IN YOU (Jn. 17:9-11)

Jesus said, “keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are.” (John 17:11, NKJV)

Jesus prayed for His disciples to have the type of bond He enjoyed with His Father. Jesus knew this “oneness” would be under threat after His departure.

The more we are isolated from each other, the more vulnerable we become and less of a witness for the cause of Christ (cp. 17:20-21). Lord, help us be united in You.

HELP US HAVE YOUR JOY (Jn. 17:12-13)

Jesus said, “these things I speak in the world that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.” (John 17:13, NKJV)

In John’s gospel, Jesus wants to share peace and joy with His disciples (14:27; 15:11). Jesus’ joy came from doing the Father’s will (Jn. 15:9-11) and the disciples’ joy would come from doing the same.

Jesus’ joy is not the absence of sorrow (Ac. 5:41; 1 Pet. 4:13). Sadly, the circumstances of the world have robbed some Christians of the joy Jesus gives (Jn. 16:22). Lord, help us have Your joy.

HELP US THROUGH THIS (Jn. 17:14-19)

Jesus said, “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” (John 17:16, NKJV)

Jesus wants us in the world so we may influence it without being influenced by it (cp. 14:30; 17:13). His prayer was Christians would not fall prey to the devil (17:15).

Jesus’ resource for overcoming the world was the Word of God (17:8, 14, 17). If we are to have joy we cannot substitute the Word of God for the wisdom of men (Jn. 7:7; 15:18–19). Lord, help us through this.

BENEDICTION

May we strive to be unified as a church in the days, weeks, and months moving forward. May we do this together in partnership with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. May we all repent of clinging to things that rob us of the joy and peace Jesus gives. May our primary news source be the good news so we may be built up in the most holy faith. “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13, NKJV)