Day 3: Prayer Focus: Unity in the Spirit | Ephesians 4:3-6

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit— just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” (Ephesians 4:3–6)

One of the first things a soldier learns is to march in step with the rest of the troop. The drill sergeant doesn’t yell out, “Left… Left… Left, right, left” just to hear his own voice. Some troops form their own songs with a cadence that matches their marching. All these tactics keep the group in lockstep with one another.

We need the same unity in our churches today. Why do we find it so easy to disagree with one another on doctrine and practice? God wants us to be unified. Like the military, we need to move as one man, think the same way, and act the same way. Paul stresses the unity we have. He focuses on all the “ones” we have in common.

The idea of fellowship in Scripture bears this out. The word “fellowship” means to have something in common with one another. Too often, we focus on what makes us different instead of what makes us the same. But we have more in common than we have differences among us.

Unity provides the Holy Spirit with everything He needs to advance God’s Kingdom through us. But we cannot do it on our own. We need the help of a unified body. All the parts of the body work together to accomplish one goal. James speaks against double mindedness (James 1:8; 4:8). If we are divided in our goals, we will never accomplish one.

Have you ever tried to multitask only to find out you accomplished nothing instead of at least one of your goals or tasks? Our minds can switch fast between two activities, but they do not “multitask” in the true sense of the word. So also, how can the Church accomplish the great commission and the mission Jesus calls us to if we are split in several directions?

Unity does not come naturally to us. It must be a gift and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. He doesn’t just give us this unity. We must long for it, pray for it, and seek it. We must be obedient to the Holy Spirit to see unity in our ranks.

Unity accomplishes a great deal in the body. It gives strength, for a cord of three strands is not easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12). Unity makes the load lighter for each person (Deuteronomy 32:30). Farmers put leather and wooden yokes on a team of oxen so they keep in step with one another. Jesus’ yoke is easy, and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30).

So also, if the Spirit can get anything accomplished through the church, He must have obedience and unity. When He has that, He can lead us to maturity, as the rest of Ephesians 4 shows us (Ephesians 4:11-16). So, let us pray for unity and strive to work together as one man, tearing down the gates of Hell and moving to the beat of the Holy Spirit’s drum. Let us look for what complements one another instead of divides.

Prayer Points

• Obedience and submission to the Holy Spirit
• Compassion and kindness in the body of Christ
• Seeking unity instead of division
• Finding ways to complement the gifts of others