Jesus never experienced an unanswered prayer. Indeed, the very things Jesus prayed were those things He knew to be precisely the Father's will. The Son could heal or raise the dead or supernaturally feed multitudes, because in prayer He understood what the Father intended. Jesus knew, absolutely, that nothing was impossible for God. Thus, on the night before He died, the most somber night in Jesus' life, the Lord brought His most lofty request to God: He prayed for oneness in His Church.

Christ's prayer was both visionary and practical, considering that on this same evening an argument arose among His disciples as to which of them was the greatest (Lk. 22:24). In spite of their immaturity, selfish ambitions, and envy, Jesus harbored no second thoughts or unbelief when He prayed that they may all be one.

To know Christ is to know His heart toward His Church. Look again at His relationship with His disciples that Passover night. If an observer compared the instructions of Christ with the responses of His disciples, they would have concluded that there was little real communication between them. Jesus presented His vision of a Church motivated by His love and humility. In contrast, His disciples dwelt in carnal desires and weaknesses. Consider: while Jesus prayed that they would be "perfected in unity" (Jn... (Read More)