This post is part of the #RealWomenPray online Bible study series: “Fervent: A Woman’s Battle Plan for Serious, Specific, Strategic Prayer” by Priscilla Shirer. 

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”If I were your enemy, I’d work to create division between you and other Christians, between groups of Christians, anyone with the potential for uniting in battle against me and my plans.” Priscilla Shirer, Fervent

Uniting In a Common Cause

Church hurt: a term use to describe hurt causes by other Christians

I have seen people hurt by other Christians more than I care to admit.

Where there is church hurt, there you will find the enemy. Sitting slyly in the corner, rubbing his hands together in delight with a glint of evil pleasure in his eyes relishing in the fact that God’s children are fighting…each other…and not him!

One of the most important prayers we can pray is against disunity among Christians.

Why?

Because there is power in UNITY—and the enemy knows it.

Because when the Church unites their shields of faith in prayer, we are unstoppable—and the enemy hates it.

Because when we come together in harmony, we have peace with God, which keeps us focused and passionate in prayer and discerning of the enemies lies.

When we as a group of God’s children have peace towards each other and are operating out of peace with God, others are drawn to Him.

We have a testimony of love, forgiveness, and peace they can not find in the world.

If they begin to be drawn to Jesus and His Church, the enemy loses ground.

When the enemy feels threatened, he will attack. He will divide and fracture the body of Christ any way he can.

We have all heard stories of churches in dysfunction and in-fighting.

It’s so sad.

And I simply own’t add to the testimony of the enemy by giving examples here.

SCRIPTURE

James 3:14-18

According to these verses, common ways the enemy brings division and disunity to our relationships is through jealousy, bitterness, selfishness, and arrogance.

These attributes are in direct conflict with the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-26. ”But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”

Let me encourage you in this:

Seek the fruit of the Spirit

Love Joy Peace Patience

Kindness Goodness Faithfulness

Gentleness Self-Control

Live by the Spirit, keep in step with the Spirit. Do not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Stand firm—shields of faith locked together—and pray always

PRAY FERVENTLY

CALL TO PRAYER

Not only will the fruit of Spirit help our defense against the enemy with others, but it will serve us well in every other area we have covered in this book.

Pray for God to help you develop and demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit in all your relationships, both Christian and non-Christian.

Write out your prayer using one of the suggested scriptures in the book or choose another scripture that speaks to you. Use the P.R.A.Y. points on pages 21-22 to help you write personal, specific prayers.

Jesus, thank You for giving us brothers and sister in Your body to encourage us and pray for us. Help us to be an encouragement to them, too. Father, help us to display Your fruit in our relationships. Give us patience when we deal with others that are hurt or angry. Help us to show them Your love, grace, and mercy. Lord, help us to be the best witnesses of Your goodness and love towards Your creation.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.