Unity, providence, and promise. There's surely something there that will preach...

John 17:20-26

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

Verses 20-21 are cited through an editorial insert in Formula of Concord, Epitome, Article 11: Election (FC, Ep 11.22) in the concluding prayer of the first eleven articles asking for unity among those who follow the teachings of the Augsburg Confession.

Verse 20 by itself is quoted (and elided with verse 17) in Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Article 2: Free Will (FC, SD 2.51) in the middle of several scriptural quotes showing how God provides for the proclamation of the gospel.

[Jesus prayed,] Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.”

Verse 24 is cited in Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Article 8: Person of Christ (FC, SD 8.65) along with 1 Corinthians 13:12 (through editorial insert) citing Jesus' promise that we will see his glory in the next life.

TheoThru

I think we Lutherans could benefit from consistently and publicly praying the simple, one sentence prayer from the Epitome (FC, Ep 11.22). Here’s my slightly updated version:

May Almighty God and the Father of our Lord Jesus grant the grace of the Holy Spirit so that we may all be one in Christ and faithfully remain in this Christian unity, which is well pleasing to God. Amen.

How do we lift up God's providence of proclamation of the gospel without conflating God's work with human institutions?
What role does the promise of seeing Jesus in all his glory play in our lives?
How do we follow the lead of the unity God provides in the Spirit and work for the visible unity of the institutions of the church?