by Annie Warner Donnelly
February 9, 2025
Hello Everyone. As our country seeks unity within its borders, is it our desire to go one step further? Do we desire to maintain unity with the people within the borders of our lives?
Changing the way we think about things is hard for us. Some of us grew up knowing about God from a young age. Others grew into knowing Him at an older age. God chose where we would be born; what language, traditions and style of worship we would learn. God chose the colour of our eyes and our skin; how the features of our faces and our bodies would develop. We look different and yet, in Christ, we are the same.
May God help us to understand that although we look different; come from different places; speak different languages and hold to different traditions and styles of worship, in Christ, clothed in His righteousness, we are God’s dearly beloved children, called to be unified in His Family even as we live here on earth. We are meant to be one in the Spirit. Yet often we judge others and find them lacking in some way.
Let’s pray together. Heavenly Father, when we judge others and withdraw our friendship from them, please forgive us for hurting Your children and You.
When we fight with others, please forgive us for hurting Your children and You.
Please forgive us for how it must hurt You when we refuse to forgive others after how faithful You’ve been to forgive us.
Your word says that we do not have because we do not ask. Father please, grow us into your image, into Your character and help us to forgive as we are forgiven. Help us to love as You loved us so completely before we ever knew You. Help us to value and protect Your Family’s unity as Your children and as the dear, irreplaceable Bride of Christ.
Thank you that, in Christ, we have the ability to exhibit the Fruit of the Spirit to one another moment by moment; that we can choose to exhibit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control in all our interactions with others.
Father, we invite You to work miracles in our midst. Please, help our unbelief. Right now, we know there are people in our families and in our communities who are grieving. Some are sick; some are unemployed; some are lonesome; some are financially drained; some are cold; some are hungry; and world events are frightening many. Please help us to believe that you will lovingly respond to the prayers You hear Your children pray for themselves and others. Please provide us with Your comfort, Your help and healing, Your wisdom and Your strength. Please grow us into a faith that believes You are still a miracle working God.
In the coming weeks, help us to care for each other with love. May our words and actions maintain unity with all the people within the borders of our lives. Amen.