Let us remember the words of scripture when praying for unity, as 1 Peter 3:8 says, "Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind."
Often in times of greatest need, we may find ourselves giving way to the stress and strain by battling one another; forgetting who the real enemy is. Harsh words spoken, friendships broken; we choose sides and draw lines. Feelings get hurt. Betrayal runs deep. It gets harder to forgive and keep moving forward. And sometimes we get stuck, right there in the broken mess of it all.
Yet it’s in those very times of tension and struggle that we need, more than ever, to come together as one. Unified and strong.
And we can be assured, it’s in those times that Satan is fighting the hardest. He knows that we’re stronger together as we encourage one another. He’s aware that we’re courageous and brave when we’re covering one another in prayer for unity. He understands that the unity of believers through the power of Jesus Christ is a force to be reckoned with. For it’s far too hard to tear apart a cord of three strands that can’t be easily broken.
One thing is true: The enemy fights the hardest when he knows we’re making a difference. Don’t let him win. He gains momentum when we forget that he’s the cause. For when we’re able to look beyond our disagreements and set aside our differences, we can look to the greater purpose in this life. To honor Christ as King. We’ll never agree on everything. And that’s never been the real goal anyway.
“Let all that you do be done in love.” (1 Corinthians 16:14)
For perfect love, which comes from Christ, casts out all fear. That’s what gives us the power to move forward, propelled with His strength, surrounded in peace, eyes on the One who gives us breath each day. All that you do. All that you say. All that you stand for. Let’s do it with love.
Dear God, We know that you are with us and you fight for your people. We believe that it’s not by might, nor by power, but by your Spirit, that you make a difference in our world.
We are needy for you. Some days feel so broken and uncertain. We’re hurting, we’re struggling, and we’re aware, more than ever, of our own weaknesses, and of the dark forces that constantly surround us, fighting to gain ground in our lives and families. We choose to stand our ground today and say, “no more.”
Dear God, we ask that you fill us with your Spirit of love and unity among believers all across this nation.
We ask for your help to set aside our differences and look to the greater cause, the cause of Christ. We ask that you would help us to truly live a life of love. We know that this is only possible through the power of your Spirit, so we pray for your Spirit to move across our land in fresh ways. Turn your people back to you. Draw others to come to know you. Thank you that you are always with us to give us great purpose and hope.
We pray for our families, for every relationship most dear to us, that you would guard our time, and our lives together. We ask for your ability to quickly forgive hurts, for a renewed heart of compassion, for love and faithfulness to be evident in every decision and action.
Dear God, we pray for our churches, our workplaces, our schools, and our communities.
We ask for your help in being a light in every place you’ve given us to walk. Give us care and wisdom as we live and work with one another. Help us to look to another’s needs before our own, and to always be ready to serve those around us by the power of your love within us. Even in every dark and broken place, for the times we feel like we’re barely making it through, give us your joy Lord, your grace, and the powerful presence of your peace.
We pray for all those in authority, for every leader of our nation, that you would give them your wisdom and discernment as they lead. We pray that their hearts would be directed first to you, that they would recognize where their true help and strength come from. We ask that you guard their coming and going, that you would be their refuge and their peace. We pray that you would surround every leader with wise counsel, that they would be humble and kind, patient and loving through their actions and words. We pray that their faith in you would be unwavering, strong, resolute, and firm.
Dear God, We pray for your protection as one nation under God.
We ask that you surround this country and cover us with your mighty hand. We pray for unity in our land, that in spite of our differences, we would be willing to stand strong together and live out our days with compassion and grace. We ask that no weapon formed against us will prosper and that you would thwart the attacks of the enemy hurled our way.
Thank you that you are rich in mercy and full of grace. Thank you that you are forgiving and merciful. Thank you that you are strong and mighty. Thank you for us and that you fight for us still today.
Wake us up, Lord! Remind us to live aware, to redeem the time, listen to your words, and be willing to make a difference in this land. Give us the courage to speak out. Help us not to stay silent but to do all things through your wisdom and love.
We pray for your great healing on our land. Shine your face on us dear Lord. Give us the courage to go into all the world and take the message of the Gospel of peace. We need you just as much now as we ever have before. Our times are in your hands.
Bring honor to your Name today, for You alone are worthy. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
“I in them and you in me–so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
“And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.”
“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.”
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!”
“To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit…”
“Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”
“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
That same power that broke prison chains, raised Lazarus from the dead, and parted the Red Sea, the same power that healed the blind man, and delivered the delirious from demons, that same power is at work even today.
He is the same. Yesterday, today, and forever.
May we stand together in unity as believers in Christ, and pray for God to heal our families, our churches, and our nation. May He strengthen us all and give us fresh glimpses of His miraculous intervening, seeing blind eyes being opened, many being drawn to Him, and experiencing the goodness of our Lord as never before.
He hears our prayers; He knows our needs. There’s great power in coming together, turning our hearts towards God, and praying on behalf of our families and country. He reminds us He is with us, He will help us, that He hasn’t lost control, but has a plan. And His purposes will prevail. Always.