Abby Matter

John 17:20-21

Friday, March 23

20 "I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may the also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. – John 17:20-21

The first time my goddaughter slept over at my house she was seven years old. I spent the night playing Barbies, eating spaghetti and telling her "I love you," but more importantly "Jesus loves you." I gave her a Spark Story Bible. She gave me a hand-painted placemat, which is far too cute to eat off of. That night, I tucked her into bed and she asked me to read her a story. I expected her to pull a book out of her bag, but instead she wanted me to read her a story from the Bible.

While I understood what being a godmother entailed and grasped the importance of it, I never thought of my goddaughter as a future believer. I didn't pray that my words and action would bring her to Christ so we will be one body of Christ together. But it sounds good, doesn't it? God use me, my words and my actions, to bring people to you. It is a completely different way of looking at prayer. It strays away from help me with, or make this happen, or change this one thing. Instead, we are the vessel being used to bring people into the community of faith.

Questions for reflection:

• Who is a future believer that you can pray for?
• When have your words and actions reflected the love of Jesus Christ?

Prayer:

May my words and actions be reflective of You, so that those who hear it know your love and come to believe in You. Amen