Yet another verse about the importance of prayer. We need to devote ourselves to prayer and pray for one another- especially for other Christians who are trying to further God's kingdom. Sometimes we are shy about asking prayer for ourselves, but it's important for at least a couple reasons. One- we open ourselves up to our brothers and sisters. Two- we recognize God's power to help us. So at once we are reaching out to each other and up to the Lord. It's as if we had two sets of arms at once. And the most important thing we can pray for is that God's will be done on earth... in whatever way we may accomplish it.
Right now I am praying especially for two groups of Christians... for my friends in the Bible Study (especially the first years... that they may continue to be strong in their faith, following God and making time for Him even on the busy days). Also, I pray for wisdom for the GCF leadership team... we are trying to reach out to so many, and we hope to make things meaningful for everyone. May God lead us in how to proceed.
18 Here am I, and the children the LORD has given me. We are signs and symbols in Israel from the LORD Almighty, who dwells on Mount Zion. -Isaiah 8:18
The "us" that comes before God in prayer is not just a group of Christians but also the family unit. I'm so thankful that I grew up in a family where faith was a priority. Attending church and Sunday School and Thursday night Bible Study and service projects was something that we did... and something that we enjoyed. I never ever put up a fuss about going to church. I loved it. And by the time I was in middle school I had started a personal devotional time, which I saw from my father's example. When we come together before the Lord as a family, it is such a blessing to us... and so many others.
14For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, 16and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
19Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. -Ephesians 2:14-22
And we are all one and the same. One thing that's hard for me is all the division that exists between different churches. Sometimes it seems some people like to emphasize differences and others similarities. When what unites us is so important, I don't think that little differences (style of baptism, clothes, traditions, music, in this case... circumcision) should make a difference. We all have Jesus... the Prince of Peace... who came to unite "us" and give us all access to the Father by one Spirit.
I especially like the imagery of being "built together to become one dwelling." When a home is built, you need several different kinds of materials... wood, insulation, nails, etc... but it is all connected... different materials touching one another and working together for a common purpose. May we all learn to work together for God's purposes... a holy temple for His work.
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