May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:5-7
Heavenly Father, I’m like a hungry little bird with my mouth wide open this morning. I’m glad you’re the God who gives endurance and encouragement, for I’m starving for both. Bring an abundance of both, Father, “good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over!” (Luke 6:38)
I praise you for these twin sisters of grace. One without the other would simply not be enough. Endurance without encouragement can atrophy into heartless stoicism. Encouragement without endurance can wither into short-lived enthusiasm. Give both… bunches of both.
Father, I’m not just praying for me, but for the whole family of believers with whom I’m so privileged to walk. Along with endurance and encouragement, I ask you to give us a fresh super-sized order of unity. How else will we be able to glorify you with one heart and one mouth? How else will we even want your glory above our own preferences and priorities?
Our church family is so much like the churches Paul was addressing in Rome. We come from many different backgrounds. We’ve been rescued from non-religion and gospel-less religion. We have different perspectives and varying passions. We are at different stages in knowing how to follow Jesus, and knowing what following Jesus actually means. All in all, we are prime candidates for a fresh visitation of the Holy Spirit, for he is the true Spirit of Unity.
Father, whether or not we actually get to experience a full-bore old-fashioned revival, help us to accept one another just as Jesus has already accepted each of us. This brings you great praise. The gospel we already have is all the gospel we actually need. Our city, and the nations of the world, are desperate to see Christ-followers that know how to love one another… when it’s easy and when it’s not.
So very Amen, we pray, in Jesus’ mighty and merciful name.
