In 1985 an estimated 5,000 radio stations around the world simultaneously played the song, “We Are the World.”

In the mid-1980s, people became very aware of the problem of hunger in the Africa, with powerful pictures of starving children broadcast on TV. So a group of musicians, led by Harry Belafonte, Lionel Ritchie, Stevie Wonder, and Quincy Jones formed Band Aid to raise money to feed those who were starving. Eventually more than 44 musicians joined to record “We Are the World.” The recording quickly rose to number one, and in a tremendous show of unity, stations around the world played the song at the same time.

Wouldn’t it be great if Christians were known for that kind of unity, with people from many different backgrounds, shapes, sizes, and languages joining together as one? That’s what Jesus wants us to do.

In today’s passage, Jesus is praying for his disciples, right near the end of his time on earth. As you read the verse, listen to the feeling in Jesus’ voice. He knows he will be leaving soon, to experience the pain of the cross. Yet he prays for those men who have remained close to him.

But check out the previous verse. Jesus said, “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me because of their testimony” (John 17:20). Wow! That means Jesus was praying for us—for me and for you.

And his prayer is that we would be “as one.” The unity of Jesus’ followers would help the world believe that he really was sent from God and died for sins.

Do people at your school and in your neighborhood see unity among you and your fellow believers? What do you suppose they think about Jesus because of you and your relationships?

That’s something to think about.

“My prayer for all of them is that they will be one, just as you and I are one, Father—that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me” (John 17:21).

To Do

Do you know another Christian at your school, someone who goes to a different church? Ask him or her a few questions like these: What do you like about your church? What’s your favorite Bible verse? How can I pray for you?

Also on this day . . .

1614—American Indian Pocahontas married English colonist John Rolfe in Virginia.

1621—The Mayflower sailed from Plymouth, MA, on a return trip to England.

1965—Lava Lamp Day was celebrated.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.