Our tagline for the Cross Canada Prayer Tour is the same for our National Team: Strengthening HEALTH, UNITY and EFFECTIVENESS. So how does prayer strengthen UNITY?

Prayer is fellowship with God. We enter into the beautiful fellowship of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit through prayer. The first priority of prayer is always fellowship. To know and be known by God. To abide in him and he in us. Oh the fellowship and the joy that awaits us each and every day through prayer!

And what of our unity with one another? Everything that comes as a barrier between us and another comes as a barrier between us and God. Scripture is clear that if we say we love God yet hate our brother the love of God is not in us. (1 John 4:20 and again in Philippians 1:1-2…)

“If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.”

As we go deeper in prayer we go deeper in love, for God is love. So if (and really when) you are finding it hard to love another go deeper in prayer. Abiding prayer. Prayer where you are enjoying being with God. Let him look at you. Let him be present to you. Let him love you. Then let this love flow through you to others!

There is possibly no greater witness to the world than our love for one another. Jesus said, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” And then a little later on he prayed, “I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” – (John 13:35; 17:23)
 
Praying with you, 

Joel Martin
National Prayer Coordinator, Youth for Christ in Canada