Prayer 1st

Just before Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane and ultimately died on the cross, He prayed a powerful prayer that consumes John chapter 17. The essence of this prayer is Jesus pleading with His Father to bring unity among the believers in Jesus.  There is much to be said about this prayer and this chapter of scripture, but let's start where Jesus started: in prayer.

The thought of prayer can become intimidating, even for many believers. Am I doing it right? Is God hearing me? Will God answer me? How long or how often do I need to do this? Why can't I stay focused while I pray? These are all questions that many people struggle with when it comes to prayer. Much of our confusion about prayer is because we are unsure of what prayer is.

Prayer is simply a conversation with God. Many have made that conversation very formal and even made it to sound like the language used in their preferred bible translation. In an attempt to teach proper form, many people have learned a religious way of prayer that is based on rules more than relationship. The lack of relationship in prayer creates doubt, distraction and discouragement. Once we realize that prayer is a conversation with God, we are free to deepen the relationship we have with God. Prayer goes from being a duty to a desire. It goes from being a chore to a privilege.

So if prayer is a conversation with God, let's start having conversations with God about living a life of unity and diversity. Let's ask God how we can fulfill Jesus' desire in John chapter 17. Let's ask God for opportunities to have diverse relationships. Let's ask God for wisdom, specifically inside of those relationships. Let's ask God for a heart that refuses to be offended. 

If Jesus prayed extensively for unity, so should we. These conversations with God will please God because they are in line with what He wants for us. They will empower us to become the people God wants us to become. They will help us become more sensitive to God's written Word and His spoken Word to us.

To develop authentic unity, we need to be sensitive to how God is leading us. In every area of our life, we need to be so sensitive to God's Word that we are ready and willing to hear what He says in every moment. The most genuine relationships are ones that involve acceptance, care and support. We need God to lead us into ways of acceptance, care and support within relationships. Our ability to enhance these characteristics within relationships comes through prayer.

There is no better time than right now to invest in prayer for diversity and unity. Ask God to give you opportunities, wisdom and a heart that refuses to be offended!