Editor’s Note: This post was inspired by the article “A Prayer to Heal Division” written by Shakira Clark to read the original article click this LINK
This hurting world is in desperate need of bold prayers to help turn things around. I think we can all agree that division has run rampant in our nation.
We saw this last year, as our country was divided in one of the most publicized and important presidential elections of our time. We continue to see it as we seek to elevate the issues within racial inequality, and as conflict around how history should be taught in schools continues. For over a year now, we have seen this world divided on how to effectively manage a pandemic that has taken the precious lives of so many of our loved ones, colleagues, and now our children. A pandemic that has been intertwined in an unnecessary political division that no one saw coming but has changed the way we live and do business. This world is divided on so many issues that are trickling into relational conflict amongst people, even believers.
Now more than ever, we see how much division has taken a front seat in our world. Every week it seems as if there is a new twist to all the intricacies of its brokenness. Although it makes for great ratings on television and more clicks on news articles, it is causing a wrench in the hearts of many.
Yet, during it all, God is awakening us to see what is going on beyond just the physical. We need to be viewing these events through our spiritual lenses. He is shaking us to get our attention and turn our eyes to Him. Instead of clinging to the One with the answers, many have found themselves crumbling. They are crumbling in a way that resembles the deceitfulness of this world instead of anchoring their hope in Christ.
What Will It Take to Take to Heal Division?
What will it take for us to stop and truly pay attention? What else is needed for us to love those in our world regardless of our differences? The answer is Jesus.
Proverbs 10:11-12 NIV The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.
This world is crying out for more people who are willing to love how Jesus modeled for us to love; instead of living in a constant state of conflict by trying to prove our point as valid. No good can come from a heart that desires to be right instead of one that desires to shower others with love. It is important that the words from our mouths exude the love of Jesus Christ.
Throughout all the chaos that has happened, it has been disappointing to see so much division amongst believers. As believers, we should look differently than the world during these times. We should not involve ourselves with gossip, hatred, or conflict. We should exude love even when we disagree with others of different opinions.
Jesus tells us that love is how others will know that we are His disciples.
John 13:34-35 NIV “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
This world needs love, not division. There is enough of that in the world. We, followers of Christ, must remind others of the hope we have in Jesus, and that cannot be done if we are on the frontlines of sprouting division amongst His children.
What Do We Need to Do Today?
1. Intentionally focus on a heart of repentance
We must be willing to repent.
Psalms 139:23-24 NIV Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
We should willingly allow the Holy Spirit to search us and reveal to us things we need to repent of; things we are aware of and things we may not be. If we ask God to search us, He will reveal what it is we need to repent of. Get in the practice of repenting and allow God to change your heart to resemble His increasingly each day.
2. Strive for unity but not uniformity
As believers, it is our time to show unity to this hurting world. It doesn’t mean we will all agree on the same issues, but we must agree to show love to all of God’s children no matter what. That’s the example that Jesus gave us. He was quick to take another route for the Samaritan woman.
John 4:4-7 NIV Now he had to go through Samaria. So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?”
He heals a man on the Sabbath.
Mark 3:1-6 NIV Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.” Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.
Jesus didn’t conform to what others thought He should do or be, He was focused on His Father’s business. It is time for us, as His church, to come together and be a blessing to this divided world. There’s no better way to begin than by striving for unity amongst those in our world.
This hurting world is in desperate need of bold prayers to help turn things around. I think we can all agree that division has run rampant in our nation.
We saw this last year, as our country was divided in one of the most publicized and important presidential elections of our time. We continue to see it as we seek to elevate the issues within racial inequality, and as conflict around how history should be taught in schools continues. For over a year now, we have seen this world divided on how to effectively manage a pandemic that has taken the precious lives of so many of our loved ones, colleagues, and now our children. A pandemic that has been intertwined in an unnecessary political division that no one saw coming but has changed the way we live and do business. This world is divided on so many issues that are trickling into relational conflict amongst people, even believers.
Now more than ever, we see how much division has taken a front seat in our world. Every week it seems as if there is a new twist to all the intricacies of its brokenness. Although it makes for great ratings on television and more clicks on news articles, it is causing a wrench in the hearts of many.
Yet, during it all, God is awakening us to see what is going on beyond just the physical. We need to be viewing these events through our spiritual lenses. He is shaking us to get our attention and turn our eyes to Him. Instead of clinging to the One with the answers, many have found themselves crumbling. They are crumbling in a way that resembles the deceitfulness of this world instead of anchoring their hope in Christ.
What Will It Take to Take to Heal Division?
What will it take for us to stop and truly pay attention? What else is needed for us to love those in our world regardless of our differences? The answer is Jesus.
Proverbs 10:11-12 NIV The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.
This world is crying out for more people who are willing to love how Jesus modeled for us to love; instead of living in a constant state of conflict by trying to prove our point as valid. No good can come from a heart that desires to be right instead of one that desires to shower others with love. It is important that the words from our mouths exude the love of Jesus Christ.
Throughout all the chaos that has happened, it has been disappointing to see so much division amongst believers. As believers, we should look differently than the world during these times. We should not involve ourselves with gossip, hatred, or conflict. We should exude love even when we disagree with others of different opinions.
Jesus tells us that love is how others will know that we are His disciples.
John 13:34-35 NIV “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
This world needs love, not division. There is enough of that in the world. We, followers of Christ, must remind others of the hope we have in Jesus, and that cannot be done if we are on the frontlines of sprouting division amongst His children.
What Do We Need to Do Today?
1. Intentionally focus on a heart of repentance
We must be willing to repent.
Psalms 139:23-24 NIV Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
We should willingly allow the Holy Spirit to search us and reveal to us things we need to repent of; things we are aware of and things we may not be. If we ask God to search us, He will reveal what it is we need to repent of. Get in the practice of repenting and allow God to change your heart to resemble His increasingly each day.
2. Strive for unity but not uniformity
As believers, it is our time to show unity to this hurting world. It doesn’t mean we will all agree on the same issues, but we must agree to show love to all of God’s children no matter what. That’s the example that Jesus gave us. He was quick to take another route for the Samaritan woman.
John 4:4-7 NIV Now he had to go through Samaria. So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?”
He heals a man on the Sabbath.
Mark 3:1-6 NIV Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.” Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.
Jesus didn’t conform to what others thought He should do or be, He was focused on His Father’s business. It is time for us, as His church, to come together and be a blessing to this divided world. There’s no better way to begin than by striving for unity amongst those in our world.
3. Shower unconditional love towards our neighbors
Loving our neighbor shows that you’ll love even when it’s inconvenient and even when you don’t agree. Loving your neighbor is a selfless act because we don’t always choose those in our world, but we are required to love as Jesus loved. We need more believers willing to authentically love others in this way.
4. Continue to pray for revival
We need the Holy Spirit to reign down on this world and shower us with revival and we need to get ready for this. It is our time to be the church and ensure others know about Jesus while showing them a glimpse of Him every day in how we respond to life’s challenges. People are watching you. Will your response point them to Jesus or the latest controversy?
A Prayer to Heal Division
Oh Merciful Father,
Forgive us today in how we have resembled the world instead of being set apart as your children. Cleanse and instill in us a new heart that desires to obey your Word in its entirety and to close the gap of division amongst our brothers and sisters and neighboring countries. Let our hearts desire to be one that finds joy in pleasing and honoring You and not our flesh. Help us to die to our flesh and seek You every day for direction on what to say and how to love.
We need you. Father, we need more of your children clinging to You more than the news reports and more than the social media posts. This is uncharted territory, but we trust and know that You have already provided a way out.
Heal this nation, cleanse it of the undercurrents that have produced a bad foundation that we are fighting against. Lead the way in our hearts and minds while convicting us of any words and actions that do not align to your Word. Let us come together to do Your perfect will as we can’t do it alone. We want You to get the glory for healing the division of this world and bringing more into Your family.
We love You and praise You, Amen.
We only get one life, and it is up to us to live it well, but it is our choice to continue to promote division or be someone who thrives on the reconciliation of those in our world. Don’t allow division to continue to fester in your heart; instead, willingly decide today that you will focus on showering others with the love that Jesus has bestowed upon you.
Let us be children of God who study and obey His Word. This is how we will bring more people into His kingdom. Lost souls are waiting for us to get it right and help them to come to know the One we should model our lives after. Let us take the charge today and close the gap on the division in our world. We all have a role to play, let’s play our cards in a way that pleases our Father.
Loving our neighbor shows that you’ll love even when it’s inconvenient and even when you don’t agree. Loving your neighbor is a selfless act because we don’t always choose those in our world, but we are required to love as Jesus loved. We need more believers willing to authentically love others in this way.
4. Continue to pray for revival
We need the Holy Spirit to reign down on this world and shower us with revival and we need to get ready for this. It is our time to be the church and ensure others know about Jesus while showing them a glimpse of Him every day in how we respond to life’s challenges. People are watching you. Will your response point them to Jesus or the latest controversy?
A Prayer to Heal Division
Oh Merciful Father,
Forgive us today in how we have resembled the world instead of being set apart as your children. Cleanse and instill in us a new heart that desires to obey your Word in its entirety and to close the gap of division amongst our brothers and sisters and neighboring countries. Let our hearts desire to be one that finds joy in pleasing and honoring You and not our flesh. Help us to die to our flesh and seek You every day for direction on what to say and how to love.
We need you. Father, we need more of your children clinging to You more than the news reports and more than the social media posts. This is uncharted territory, but we trust and know that You have already provided a way out.
Heal this nation, cleanse it of the undercurrents that have produced a bad foundation that we are fighting against. Lead the way in our hearts and minds while convicting us of any words and actions that do not align to your Word. Let us come together to do Your perfect will as we can’t do it alone. We want You to get the glory for healing the division of this world and bringing more into Your family.
We love You and praise You, Amen.
We only get one life, and it is up to us to live it well, but it is our choice to continue to promote division or be someone who thrives on the reconciliation of those in our world. Don’t allow division to continue to fester in your heart; instead, willingly decide today that you will focus on showering others with the love that Jesus has bestowed upon you.
Let us be children of God who study and obey His Word. This is how we will bring more people into His kingdom. Lost souls are waiting for us to get it right and help them to come to know the One we should model our lives after. Let us take the charge today and close the gap on the division in our world. We all have a role to play, let’s play our cards in a way that pleases our Father.
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