“I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one.  I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. John 17:22-23 (New Living Translation, NLT)

This passage is speaking to us loud and clear in these times. If any entity in this earth should portray unity and equality, it is the church, but it has not been that way like it should. We should be the shining example of justice, mercy and equal treatment, and we should be leading the way in the earth. If the unity of the church (the worldwide church, not just the local church) and its people are on your heart like they have been on mine, here is a prayer you can pray.

Heavenly Father, we come to you with hearts of repentance. We ask forgiveness for any way that we have not been just and equal in the treatment of our fellow believers and for those outside the household of faith. We repent of prejudice and pride in any and all forms. We repent of judging and criticizing others who are different in their appearance, their ethnicity, their traditions, culture, doctrine, education, economic background, gender, age, and even political affiliation. Lord make us one. We turn from racism and prejudice. And we embrace our brothers and sisters in Christ. Help us to view one another through the lens of Your love. We believe that all men and women are created equal and they are endowed by their Creator with certain undeniable rights: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We commit to reach across all divides and work towards unity and restoration. We commit to pursuing healing through seeking to understand one another and loving others as Christ loved us. We affirm the value of each and every person and we rebuke the spirit of division that would try to hinder and stop the church of Jesus Christ. We will stand together as one body and we will not be defeated. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

It is God’s desire that the church be one. So, let’s go out there and reach out to those who are not like us. Let us learn more about them, and choose to love them in word and deed. Let’s work together based on what we have in common- faith in Jesus Christ. A just, unified, and loving church is a clear message to the world that Jesus is Lord.