Praying for Christian Unity

The Week of Prayer for Christianity Unity is being observed January 18-25.  The theme is "Has Christ Been Divided?"  The theme is taken from the apostle Paul's words to the Corinthian Christians as found in 1 Cor. 1:1-17. Here, the apostle recognizes already that the Christians have become splintered:  there are some who claim allegiance to Paul, some to Apollos, some to Cephas, and some who hold faithfully to Christ.

As we look about Christendom, we do recognize the many different groups (e.g. denominations) that make up the body of Christ.  At times, there has been fierce dissension.  At other times, there has been cooperation and great times of fellowship.

I believe we do have the responsibility to pray for one another in the body of Christ.  We all want to seek to help bring God's kingdom to this world.  We would want to provide most of all a good witness to an unbelieving world.

Our prayers can help us move toward this goal.  Will you take the time this week to pray for unity among all believers in Christ?

Praying for Saving All Nations

We have been given a huge task in being disciples of Jesus.  We are to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations and baptize in the name of the triune God.  I like how a similar desire for God's work was expressed centuries before Jesus' time.  It is in the prayer by the psalmist.....

"May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations.  Ps. 67:1-2

Bringing God to all nations...it's a prayer that you and I can continue to pray today.  We realize certainly the missionary work that has been done over the last 100 years.  Think of how many places the gospel has now reached, how many nations now have had the saving news proclaimed to them. Yet, there are still those in need.

We think of America and how we have become very diverse, multicultural.  God's word needs to reach all kinds of folks.  There probably are many different expressions of worship that are needed and many different ways of communicating the message to people in this land.

Still, we need to pray even in our day that God would use you and me to reach those who are different from us....all so that God's way might be known upon the earth!

A New Year's Prayer

Eternal God,  thank you for bringing me into this new year.  You have helped me to cross the threshold into 2014.  While I don't know what this year will bring, I do know that my time is in your hands.  May I look to you for guidance every step of the way. May I be able to experience the joy that comes from you as well as knowing peace in troubled times.  Help me to see ways I can grow in my discipleship and be a manifestation of Jesus to those who will cross my path this year.  May I offer my whole life as a gift to you and discover how I can be a blessing to others.  Amen.