Jesus: "I pray that they will all be one just as you and I are one - as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me." John 17:21 (NLT)
Jesus prays to his Father asking that his followers may be one. Then he sets a measure: "just as you and I are one." He goes on to give the how: "may they be IN us"; and finally the result: "so that the world will believe you sent me."
Verse 26 further adds to this unfathomable wonder: he will "continue to make the Father known" to us.
There are many perceptions of what a father is. A father can be kind, caring for his family, provider, loving the mother of his children. Or a father can be disinterested, distant, absent or even abusive.
The character of the Father that Jesus revealed to us throughout his life can be summarised in the following way:
...the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23
Let's Pray...
Father God, help me to know you as my Father - one who loves deeply and who speaks truth over my life that sets me free.
Please reveal to me any false image I may have of you as my Father, or may have projected on you from my earthly father.
Father I want to be more like you. Please grow your fruit in me: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
I ask this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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