Not long ago as I was scrolling through Pinterest notifications, I noticed a comment critical of the 35,000 Christian sects and denominations.
I don’t know if the commenter had the facts right or not but I do know there are plenty of things about which self-proclaimed Christians disagree. You and I can see evidence of that all over social media. . . and unfortunately, so can everyone else.
Can you imagine the difference believers could make and the influence we could have if we were united and lived like we truly believed….
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
2 Timothy 3:!6
And…
Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.
2 Peter 1:20–21
What if we truly believed that the Bible is God’s Word intentionally written that we might personally know Him?
What if we lived our lives and made our decisions based on the truth of our relationship with the Triune God as He has revealed Himself through the pages of Scripture?
What if we believed..?
God is not a man, so He does not lie. He is not human, so He does not change His mind.
Numbers 23:19
Has He ever spoken and failed to act? Has He ever promised and not carried it through?
And…
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Hebrews 13:8
The Word of God is not evolving. It applies to all generations.
God commanded His people to be united to one another and faithful to Him. Can you imagine the difference His children could make if we all united around the truth of God’s Word?
We are about to vote in one of the most important elections of our time and sadly we often appear more divided than ever.
But although we seem to be divided by politics and perspectives, I’m pausing today to ask God to unite us through His truth “that the world will know.”
John 17:17, 23
Make them holy by Your truth; teach them Your word, which is truth.
I am in them and You are in me. 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.
You and I will never change hearts and minds with our platitudes and pontifications but we can love one another and we can point people to the One who is offering them a way that is greater than any government can ever promise them.
I believe if we are willing to humble ourselves, repent of our sins, and ask God to fill us with His Spirit and to unite through His truth amazing things will happen.
Will you pray with me?
A Prayer to Be United by the Truth
The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The commandments of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are clear, giving insight for living.
Psalm 19:7–8
Father, Jesus prayed, “Make them holy by Your truth; teach them Your word, which is truth.” (John 17:17) Please help us!
Forgive us for listening to the lies of the world. Messages that twist and distort the words of Scripture to push a selfish agenda. Forgive us for picking and choosing the commandments we deem important while undermining and ignoring the ones we don’t.
Your Word is truth! Your commands are right and bring joy because they are intended to protect us and keep us safe.
Please unite us through Your Word and by the power of Your Spirit. May our church leaders prayerfully lead us without personal or political intentions. Heal us. Guide us. Unite us in Jesus.
Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom He gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Colossians 3:15–17
Father, we need Jesus to rule in our hearts! Please unite us through His love and help us live in peace with one another. Please keep us free of distractions that make us prideful and divide us. Please give us the wisdom we need to know and follow the paths of truth. Please help us discern Your will for us in every area of our lives.
By Your grace, help us love You completely with all our hearts, minds, souls, and strength. Help us love our neighbors as we love ourselves. Give us thankful hearts and strengthen us to live as Your representatives that the world may know Your truth and follow Jesus.
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:31–32
Father, please help us to be consistently forgiving and kind one another. Thank you for forgiving us through Christ Jesus. We can be selfish and prideful, bitter and judgmental. Yet, You promise when we come to You in faith with repentance, You are faithful to forive. Please help us to be tenderhearted and compassionate with one another . . . even those with whom we disagree.
Please unite us through Your love that the world might see You in us and want the blessing of Your transforming mercy and grace.
“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
John 13:34–35
Father, I want to make a difference. I want to love people the way You command. I want to extend forgiveness to others the way You have so graciously forgiven me. I want people to see the difference Jesus’ love makes in my life. I pray that the world will want to know and love You because of the “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23a) they see in Your followers.
“I pray that they will all be one, just as You and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in You. And may they be in us so that the world will believe You sent me. I have given them the glory You gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and You are in me. 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 17:21–23
John 17:21–23
Father, I love Jesus’ prayer. It always blesses me to read these words from His heart.
Please help us focus on the truth of Your Word. Help us love You completely. Help us surrender our lives to Your will and faithfully follow Your commands. Help us “be still” and rest with You in prayer.
Please keep us from arguing over foolish divisive things of this world and help us focus on the things that are precious and important to You. Please unite us and help us show the “world” that You love them so much You sacrificed Your Son to give them LIFE FOREVER. I pray this in the name of Your Son and our Savior, Jesus. Amen.
Friend, can you imagine the difference we could make if we built our lives on God’s Word as it is found in the Bible and together celebrated the unity and hope we have in Jesus?
Will you join me in praying for God’s people to turn their hearts and minds to the Lord and that by His grace they will all be united by the truth of His Word for His glory and the benefit of those who don’t yet know and love Him?
God bless you!
Thank you so much for joining me today.
And a thank you to BibleGateway.com for sources.
Take a moment to subscribe to Counting My Blessings and join more than 7500 of us as we read the New Testament together. We will share short posts every Monday through Friday that you can read each day or save for the weekend. Let’s study God’s Word together!
You can also…
Leave your prayer requests…
and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.
I’m so excited to tell you about my new book!
No matter what a busy week may throw your way, God is with you in every moment. Take a breath and find peace in Him with the 52-Week Devotional Journal for Women, a weekly devotional full of Scripture passages, unique insights, and journal prompts. Strengthen and deepen your relationship with God as you focus on faith over the course of the year.
Get your copy here!
Check out our new Facebook Page/Group – #WWGGG – What Would Give God Glory. We’d love for you to join the movement!
And always remember – I LOVE hearing from you! So, please take a minute to say ‘hi’ by leaving a comment.
If this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Send it to a friend, family member, coworker, or share it through the links below…
I’m asking God to bless you today!