Service is live: Watch Now

The One Year New Testament

October 2

John 17:20-26

John 17:20-26

20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

Reflection

Jesus expands his prayer to include future believers in him (John 17:20). Those now trusting in Christ can find great comfort in the fact that he specifically prayed for them on the night of his betrayal.

Jesus prays for the unity of his believers (vv. 21–22), which is based on the unity that exists among the Father, the Son, and Christians (v. 23). Paul also teaches us that God’s Spirit is another crucial component of Christian unity (Eph. 4:1–3), indicating that Christian harmony is the result of being incorporated into the harmonious community of God himself —Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Those who genuinely trust in the gospel of Jesus Christ are all part of the same heavenly family now; all human differences are secondary (cf. Gal. 3:26–28). As those who have been united with God through Christ, believers have the immeasurable privilege of knowing the Father and the Son in unparalleled intimacy (John 17:3). When we look at Jesus, we are seeing the glory of our Father (v. 26a; cf. 14:9; 2 Cor. 4:6), and through the Holy Spirit we love Jesus with the same love that the Father has for him (John 17:26). The gift of eternal life is wonderful beyond words!

James 4:1-10

James 4:1-10

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Reflection

The battles that rage between people ultimately spring from within people. When we crave things we are unable to obtain, we fight and quarrel with one another (James 4:1–3). Our “adulterous” hearts are more infatuated with the world than with God, making him our enemy. We must choose between love of God and love of the world (v. 4).

Therefore, we must humble ourselves and receive the grace of God (v. 6). If we live by God’s grace, we draw near to God and we “cleanse [our] hands . . . and purify [our] hearts” (v. 8). That means we change both deeds and thoughts. Moreover, we “mourn and weep” over sin (v. 9). James commands us to humble ourselves; then, God will exalt us (v. 10).

This principle lies at the heart of the gospel itself. When we humble ourselves, lay down our moral pride and achievements, and cast ourselves on Christ in faith, God exalts us (Luke 18:14). We become his children, accepted by and reconciled to the Father.

Psalm 18:27

Psalm 18:27

27 For you save a humble people,
but the haughty eyes you bring down.

Thoughts For Prayer

God’s grace is for the humble, so continue to make it your regular prayer that God would help you maintain a humble heart. Ask him to show you if there are any areas of pride that need to be addressed.

Missions Prayer Requests More

  • October 2, 2025

    Supported Workers: Andrew & Angie James

    Country: Uruguay

    In September, Andrew’s parents, Kep and Debbie, visited Montevideo to work with the Equipping Servants International (ESI) ministry there and spend time with the family. Pray that as a result of the training, these pastors will continue to study the Bible so that they understand it, live it, and faithfully teach and preach it in their local churches. Ask the Lord to continue to provide wisdom, strength, and love as Andrew and Angie seek to serve people within the context of the local church.

    Puerto Rico (Caribbean). Population: 3,235,290 Believers: 25.2%. Evangelical churches grew from 0.1% in 1900 to over 25% today! Pray for effective training and support of new mission ventures. Media ministries use TV, local radio, and internet sites to offer practical answers to life and faith questions. Pray for ministries to continue shaping future leaders and for discipleship movements to transform the lives of believers. From Operation World DVD-ROM 2010 and www.operationworld.org

The One Year New Testament Copyright Tyndale House Publishers, used by Permission. NIV Bible copyright International Bible Society.