Does the word unity still have any meaning in such a divided world? Such a word once indicated a feeling of togetherness, solidarity or unity between people. Over the years the definition hasn’t changed and the word continues to be used in public discourse, but our politicians, community leaders, online influencers, and even ourselves all use the word without meaning. We are making calls to unity while speaking words of division. We call for people to listen to us as they talk about them. We demand justice while we act unjust. We call for peace while causing turmoil. Even in church we claim to want unity while setting other standards of conduct for others, never for ourselves. We say we are right and they are wrong. You have to change, not us. Do we define unity with our own definition or with the meaning given to us by Scripture?
“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree in your words and that there are no divisions among you, but that you are perfectly united in thoughts and thoughts.” 1 Corinthians 1:10)
Today there is an abundant supply of division. Just give the topic a name and you can easily find two people with different positions. However, being part of Christ means looking for unity, not division. Although we will always have our differences of opinion on different subjects, Christians should seek unity rather than division. We should strive to agree, not disagreements, on important issues like abortion, divorce, and the importance of the family. Only through Christ does humanity understand what unity means in truth, not opinion. If we can heed the words of Scripture, we can evoke unity among ourselves and from there influence our community, city, state, nation, and world. Change is possible and our first step on this path is to enter into prayer. Communicating with God enables us to give instructions on how best to improve and thereby influence others. The need for unity is real today and it is entirely possible.
Here are 5 prayers for unity:
A prayer for family unity
Heavenly Father,
I know that today I am not alone in witnessing family breakdowns. Divorce is as common as marriage, and so many children do not grow up without both birth parents. Some children observe their parents in and out of multiple relationships, which leaves them feeling unstable. Then they grow up and continue the same cycle. In addition, the vulnerability is at an all-time low. When we have problems with each other, we don’t try to heal wounds. Instead, we clap and hold grudges. This behavior breaks relationships and leaves no hope of repair. The moment a conflict arises, relationships appear to be over instead of offering up for reconciliation. If the relationship continues, the problem will not be addressed. We pretend nothing happened when we feel exactly the opposite.
If we want change, we have to be honest first. And if we are to be honest with you, we have to start by being honest with ourselves. So now I come before you and ask you to make me better, to be a better parent, child, relative. Help me lose sight of my own path and focus on loving others as you have called me. That means forgiving others, as I hope they will be forgiven, reconciling when needed, and finding peace with others. Help me nurture a Christian family dynamic, symbolic of what you want us all to have. I pray that I can be the change I want to see in my family. Help me practice healthy communication, vulnerability, honesty, and whatever other qualities I lack. The more I become like your son, the more stable I pray that you will help my family find them.
Change is possible, and because of this, I know we can be united. Help us get there, God. Amen.
A prayer for unity in government and the media
Dear God,
How can I not be upset when I turn on the news? Regardless of the topic, the two major political parties are at odds. News channels blow up opinion instead of journalism. Interviews work more like interrogations where people argue and talk about each other. Unfortunately, these political disputes have boiled over in everyday life. Now ordinary citizens split up based on what they see through the media. I reminded God that we judge by what we see, but you judge by what is really in our hearts. Please help us become more like you. Show us the flaw of our ways – judging quickly and not taking the time to speak to people who disagree.
In Romans 8:28 the scriptures say that we are all sinners. If this is true and the scriptures are true, please help us realize that everyone has flaws. If everyone has flaws, then we are all wrong in our thinking about something. Nobody fully figured out life. I pray that you touch the hearts of our politicians and the media, that you reveal this truth to them. I ask you to help them be sincere in their calls to unity. May their words be spoken and received not only by those who already agree, but by everyone. Please show them the benefits of compromising with others and through the compromise help them to mature and grow in their thinking. I pray that our politicians and media representatives will trade their hostilities for something much more positive.
The government and our culture may be promoting division now, but we can change that. God you can change that. Show us the way. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
A prayer for unity between people
Mr,
Please hear this urgent prayer. I and all of my fellow citizens urgently need your intervention. The issue of race has re-emerged and boiled over. Although racism appears different today, the topic is still the same. Our society teaches children to focus on skin color, not character. Some are referred to as victims, others as oppressors. God, these are not the labels you gave, but labels that many of us have accepted anyway.
Help us see differently. While we may all look different, there is only one race – the people who created you. Can you help more people realize this? Yes, there are differences in skin color, height, eye shape, and other areas, but God, those differences are not the by-product of being different types of people. We just eat differently, have different genetics and live in different regions of the world. Still, we use these differences as reasons for the division.
God, there is also the subject of the past where the idea of race first appeared. Lord, there are people who want to hold people accountable for sins they have never committed. We are sinners and some of us are really misguided. I pray that you will help your people focus on the present rather than the past. The sins of our fathers are not for us to bear. Let this truth change us.
Let your word bring unity among people. Make us smarter, more loving, more caring, and definitely more forgiving.
Amen.
A prayer for unity in the Church
God,
When I think of places where there is a lack of unity, the church is not the first thing I think of. But today the Church is full of divisions. Whether it is racial reconciliation, same-sex marriage, or abortion, churches do not share the same beliefs. God, how can we be of the same body but hold onto different beliefs? How can we read the same text and have such drastically different insights? Do we read the Bible the way we want, or are we really confused? Whatever the answer, I pray that you will help the Church as a whole to find unity on these various issues. Help us make it clear what a subject of the Church or a subject of culture or politics is. While each is worth prayer, I ask you to help us clarify what is most important. Some solutions can be found in the Church, others lie with our political leaders.
Where the Church must be accountable, I pray that you will guide us in making decisions based on your word, not our preferences. If we find unity in you, we can certainly find less division among us. You are the truth, God. Amen.
A prayer for oneness with God
Father,
As a Christian, the only way I can exert a positive and divine influence over others is by first finding oneness with you. Often times I fight day after day trying to decide whether to live for you or for myself. I pray that you will help me make the right decision every day. Help me deny every ungodly desire and always say yes to your will. If you want me to follow, help me to follow. If you want me to listen, help me listen. Even if I do not always agree or even understand your will, your ways of God are not my own. You are the Almighty, All-Knowing and All-Seeing. Not me, god. Then help me trust you better. Help me understand how much you care about me.
And when I get closer to you, Lord, I pray that you and I will be more united. Amen.
Photo credit: © GettyImages / monkeybusinessimages
Aaron Brown is a freelance writer, dance teacher and visual artist. He currently contributes articles to GodUpdates, GodTube, iBelieve and Crosswalk. Aaron also supports clients through the freelance platform Upwork.
This article is part of our prayer resource designed to inspire and encourage your prayer life in uncertain times. If you are wondering how to pray or what to pray, visit our most popular prayers. Remember, the Holy Spirit is standing up for us and God knows your heart even if you can’t find words to pray with.
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