One Life: Sent by Jesus to Carry Each OtherSample

How often is the point of Jesus’ prayer in John 17:20-21 missed?

I’ve heard Christian leaders upset by the use of John 17 in the YMCA movement, arguing that this prayer from Jesus is intended for Christians only.

I’ve heard other colleagues upset by the use of John 17 in the Y because it comes from a faith tradition they do not identify with, thus making them feel excluded.

We are living through a very divisive time in our country and around the world, so much so that even a caring prayer for unity can become divisive.

What if we could pause for a moment and take a step back from the “dividing walls of hostility” (Ephesians 2:14)? What if we could approach John 17 with a “listen first” mentality?

How might this prayer change before our eyes if we joined Jesus to pray it every day?

For Jesus, it is a both/and prayer. The “them alone” is for followers of Christ as mentioned in John 17:11, that we may be united as one.

But Jesus then expands this to also pray for all the people who will ever believe in him through the future message of “little Christs”, that ALL may be one.

When I see the word “all” my prayer and my hope are that it really means all. It reminds me of what the apostle Paul writes in his first letter to Timothy (1:4-6) regarding Christ Jesus who is a mediator, a ransom for all people, who wants everyone to be saved and know the truth.

If God desires that all be saved—from fear, shame, ego, greed, lust, and other hurtful, hellish ways of living—then why not see this as a prayer for ALL as well as a prayer for Christ-followers?

Can it be a both/and prayer for oneness?

Let’s not let a prayer for unity divide us.

Instead, let’s accept the call to care and carry our colleagues and neighbors—no matter where they are from, what they look like, who they vote for, and who they pray to. Let's take steps together to love ALL, to even pray for our enemies, taking on the nature of a servant, sent by Jesus.

Is this possible? May it be so, for with God all things are possible!

Written by: Dori Gorman, Chaplain, YMCA of Middle Tennessee