Ephesians Prayer Guide - Day 13

We are called to unity in the Church – one body, one spirit, one hope. How we talk about “one another” in the Church is a glimpse into how our heart aligns (or doesn’t align) with His vision. At the end of the day, is the name above all other names – Jesus -being lifted high? Are our lives surrendered to Him?

Pray Ephesians 4:1-6

As a prisoner of the Lord, I plead with you to walk holy, in a way that is suitable to your high rank, given to you in your divine calling. 2 With tender humility and quiet patience, always demonstrate gentleness and generous love toward one another, especially toward those who may try your patience. 3 Be faithful to guard the sweet harmony of the Holy Spirit among you in the bonds of peace, 4 being one body and one spirit, as you were all called into the same glorious hope of divine destiny.

5 For the Lord God is one, and so are we, for we share in one faith, one baptism, and one Father. 6 And He is the perfect Father who leads us all, works through us all, and lives in us all! TPT™

For another look, read it in the Message translation:

1-3 In light of all this, here’s what I want you to do. While I’m locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don’t want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don’t want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences.

4-6 You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness. MSG

One Lord, one faith, one baptism – guard this harmony of peace we are called to in the Spirit. No one man on this earth, ever again, will be the ONE to lead us. Before Jesus left this earth, He DID lead us – in SO many ways, and one of them was towards His heart for unity. I know we have looked at it already, multiple times this week, but let’s take another look and pray towards His vision for unity in His Church.

“Holy Father, (Jesus has left) this world
to return and be with you,
(your) disciples remain here.
(We) ask that by the power of (His) name,
(that you would) protect each one of us,
and watch over us so that (we) will be united
as one, even as (YOU are) one.

(We) pray for (that we would) be joined together as one
even as the Father (and Son), are joined together as one.
We pray for us to become one with You
so that the world will recognize that (Jesus was) sent.
(We pray for the glory of the Father to be given to us)
so that (we) will be joined together
and experience the same unity that (You) enjoy.
You live fully in (Jesus) and now (He) lives fully in (us)
so that (we) will experience perfect unity,
and the world will be convinced that (Jesus was) sent,
for they will see (the same passionate love that we have with one another, as the Father has for the Son0.

(John 17:11, 21-23 TPT™ interpreted into a prayer – words taken out and words added)

Are we living at peace with one another in the body of Christ, as far as it depends on us (Romans 12:18)? Are we looking for ones to meet across the table, in spite of our differences or are we dividing over them?

The year is 2020 – it is such a easy thing to suggest and pray that the Lord would give us 20/20 vision this year. As my heart yearns towards revival, I think of 20/20 in relation to the Bride/the Church. What if we were to pray for His eyes – 20/20 vision – to see the Church, and for His heart to pray for the Church?

With another season of elections beginning to swirl into the forefronts of our media – it could also be ushering in another season of division and arguments and determining who is right and who is wrong – and this is just as much in the church as it is in the culture. I don’t have any idea of what this looks like, but what if our prayers were simultaneously geared towards raising up the right man/woman for the job, as well as keeping the heart of the Church in a stable, unified front. I think the only way this will happen is it we don’t lose sight of God’s heart for unity. And like we talked about the men in the fiery yesterday – that no matter what, we will stay in that place of believing in God’s greater plans!

Pray that we, the Bride, would come into alignment with His heart for the Church.

Whatever happens, keep living your lives based on the reality of the gospel of Christ, which reveals him to others. Then when I come to see you, or hear good reports of you, I’ll know that you stand united in one Spirit and one passion—celebrating together as conquerors in the faith of the gospel. 28 And then you will never be shaken or intimidated by the opposition that rises up against us, for your courage will only prove as a sure sign from God of their coming destruction and that you have found a new life. Philippians 1:27-28 TPT™

He alone is the one who can break down the walls of divide between us (in the Church). How is God calling us to move into this unified body today?

(Many of us have been hurt or came to have certain judgments against ______. Ask God for the healing of your heart or how to correctly handle your judgments… Psalm 139:23-24)