Pause

Sharing our personal thoughts and prayers can seem intimidating and uncomfortable. But just as those in the early church had to overcome those fears, we do too. The more we practice opening our lives to others, the easier it may become.

We would all benefit if we all became more transparent and more humble to ask for help or prayer.

Listen

"I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me."

John 17:20-23

Think

I heard once of missionaries in the Philippines who tried to teach croquet to their neighbors. The neighbors couldn’t understand why one would want to knock someone else’s ball out of play and knock them out of the game. Instead, they helped each other until all had completed the game. Then they rejoiced together, “We won! We won!” They successfully turned an individual game into a team victory!

Praying in the garden just prior to his arrest, Jesus prayed the words in today’s Scripture. Of all the things Jesus could have prayed for us, he prayed for unity. He prayed that we would become completely one so that, “the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” Jesus wanted us to turn our individual faith into a team victory. “We win! We win!” When we open ourselves to others and seek to include instead of exclude, we all win.

Dale Tadlock

Pray

God, I need others in my life. Allow me to open myself up to others and to welcome others in to my life. May you win because of my actions today. Amen.

Go

Prayer is more than just a quiet time with God. It is entering into a community (a life together) as we seek to experience and be the presence of Christ. How might you open your life to others as you seek to be the answer to their prayers?

Listen!…Follow!…Share!…Encourage!…Inspire!…Pray!