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Intention

To fulfil the prayer of Jesus that we may all be one.

Scripture

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father.”

– John 17:20–21

Reflection

In the late 1990s, the church that I was a member of — St Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Canberra — experienced a tremendous outpouring of the Holy Spirit that impacted the whole city and beyond.

This move of God was facilitated principally by John and Carol Arnott, pastors from Toronto, Canada, and the following year by Pastor Randy Clark — big-hearted revivalists who responded to an invitation from our priest, Father Greg Beath, to come and lead a series of key meetings. These times of heaven on earth ended up involving many denominations from across the city.

During these three years of meetings, many encountered Jesus Christ, there were numerous healings, and a deep unity across the Body of Christ began to emerge. The latter was significant. We experienced the very desire Jesus expressed in John 17:21 — that we may be one. And this happened.

As this unity grew, we saw the blessing of Psalm 133 manifest, where we are promised: “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, down on the collar of his robe.”

Baptists, Catholics, Pentecostals, Anglicans and others joined together during these days, months and years to encounter a fresh outpouring of the Father’s love.

One meeting in particular has stuck in my mind — when John Arnott preached a beautiful message on forgiveness and unity. When John finished preaching, he had a good old-fashioned altar call. Can you believe it — two hundred people came forward to receive Jesus into their lives or make a recommitment! It was amazing.

Yet, it was the unity that undergirded this encounter. The unity of Christ’s Body. It’s a unity that continues today in Canberra. I regularly run into people from across the Body of Christ who speak in wonder at what God did in that season.

As we pray for conversions over these days, let us remember: the greater the unity across the Body of Christ, and the deeper the love within it, the more fruitful our witness will be. If there are judgements, attitudes, or words that have sown disunity, let us bring them before God in repentance.

May we all be one.

Video

Prayer

Father, have mercy on us, because we have sinned against you by dividing the Body of Christ and hence lessening our impact upon the world. Father, go deeply into those areas that separate us, and set us free. Forgive, heal and make us one, so that the world may believe in your Son, Jesus Christ.

Author Bio

Rev. Matt Ransom has been married to his amazing wife Cathy for thirty-five years. He has two children and seven grandchildren. Matt is a married Deacon in the Catholic Church and has engaged in missionary work across Australia, Papua New Guinea and the USA. He is blessed to call a number of Protestant pastors his friends.

Prayer Points for Five4Five 2026

1. Five people to trust in Christ and to share the gospel with those five in May. Matthew 28:19–20

2. Repentance, revival and reformation in Australia and for millions to believe in Jesus Christ. Luke 24:47

3. A Church that grows in extravagant love for God and people. 2 Corinthians 5:14–15

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