DAY 5 - Saturday, February 13th, 2021
Why Unity Matters
The Heart of Jesus
We are on the precipice of either experiencing awakening or falling into an abyss.
In one of the few recorded prayers we have of Jesus, He prayed specifically for unity of His future followers: "I pray that they will all be one ..." (John 17:21). Why did He want that? He went on to pray, "May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me" (John 17:23).
First Timothy 2:1-4 indicates that God's desire is for all people to be saved. And that happens best-accord ing to Scripture-when His people are in unity, working, fellowshipping, and praying together.
Looking historically at revival and spiritual awakening in the United States, we find that a key element that launched those moves of God was unity. Churches started praying together, seeking God for their communities and nation. In the prayer meeting revival of the late 1850s, believers from many different churches started meeting in noontime prayer meetings across cities, not caring about the "tribes" with which they shouldn't mingle. That had a common goal and vision.
God is at work to tear down those walls that divide the denominational (and nondenominational) tribes for the sake of the gospel. Pastors need to be less concerned about what intermingling might do to theological purity and be more concerned with what unity will do for the sake of lost souls.
THANKS
Give thanks to the Father: I praise and thank you, Lord Jesus, that in you "we are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other" (Romans 12:5)
CONFESSION
Listen for the Holy Spirit's prompting for confession: Forgive me, Lord, for not crossing barriers to love beyond my comfort zone; extend your life and love through me to those unlike me.
PETITION
Join Jesus in prayers of petition: Father God, help us to keep our focus on eternal priorities, that in them we might all agree and that there be no divisions among [us]" (1 Corinthians 1:10 NASB).
WORD
Proclaim promises from His Word: Holy Spirit, make my life an answer to the high-priestly prayer of Jesus: "Holy Father, you have given me your name; now protect them by the power of your name so that they will be united just as we are" (John 17:11).
ENGAGE
Engage with other Jesus-followers in a lifestyle of prayer: Visit nationalprayeraccord.com and see how you can be involved in this unified prayer rhythm. Then look for ways to pray with pastors and believers from other tribes.