PRAYERS FOR UNITY
John 17:20-23
Here Jesus prays for us, for the generations of disciples that would follow the original group. As he does so, he prayes for unity - not for baptisms, courage or great exploits, but unity. If we are united as disciples, then the other elements - fruit, courage, etc. - will fall into place.
1. THE POWER OF UNITY
Leviticus 26:7,8
If 5 chase 100, then, by the same proportion, 100 should chase 5000. But God says that 100 will chase
10 000, not a "mere" 5000. Let's read more!
Judges 7:2-8, 19-21
The 32 000 men were whittled down to 300, and with a small but united group God was able to achieve a great victory. The men were united behind Gideon and united for God.
1 Samuel 14:6,7
The 2 here certainly had faith, and the armour-bearer clearly exhibited great loyalty as well. But the two of them also had tremendous unity, which helped bring about great things. This is the power of unity. Pray for unity.
2. PRAY AS ONE
Matthew 18:19,20
There is something about the fact that we agree - that we are one.
Acts 1:12-14
They are all together, praying as one.
Acts 4:23-24;31
They were all filled with the Holy Spirit. They were not just praying together, they were in agreement with one another. Remember that Jesus did not pray for the disciples to be many, but for them to be united.
Matthew 18:15-35
The context here is about resolving issues, and in the middle of that is where Jesus talks about coming together in his name (as highlighted earlier), i.e. being unified. Unity solves problems and helps us through issues that need to be dealt with.
1 Peter 3:7
If husband and wife are not united, then their prayers are hindered. We must learn to pray as one. When the people of God are united, God is with them.
In Judges 7 above, Jonathan and his armour-bearer were fighting for God. They were united in God's cause.
Jesus prayed that we be one because when we are one, then the victory is won.