“Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.”
— MATTHEW 18:19 (ESV)
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
— JOHN 17:20-21 (ESV)
Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.
— PSALM 133:1-3 (ESV)
THE PRAYER
Heavenly Father, today we are praying in agreement with millions of believers from 179 nations. With one voice, we are asking You to eradicate COVID-19 and heal our lands from its ravages. Millions and millions of people around our world have lost jobs, educational opportunities, and the basic human interactions and relationships that help us connect with one another. Many people are struggling to simply obtain food in order to survive, while others are mourning the loss of loved ones. In a world permeated with hopelessness, You are the only answer.
Father, in the name of Your Son, Jesus, eradicate COVID-19 and heal the peoples of our world from its devastating effects.
We also ask You to continue the work of making us one. As our world is becoming increasingly fractured by social, generational, ethnic, and religious tensions, the unity of Your Church is even more essential. Purge our hearts from every form of bias and prejudice, so we can serve as ambassadors of reconciliation to our broken world.
Lord Jesus, make us one, even as You and Your Father are one.
Scripture promises a fresh release of the Holy Spirit’s anointing into the lives of Your people when they learn to live as one. We pray for local churches around the world to be freshly unified. Let them be filled with the presence and power of Your Holy Spirit to boldly proclaim your message of salvation.
Heavenly Father, in the power of the Holy Spirit, revive Your Church and save millions of people around the world.
Psalm 133 likens the unity of Your people to the dew of Mount Hermon. Even as the dew from this mountain enriches the climate of Israel, may Your people enrich the spiritual, social, and relational climate of their cities and nations. As we choose to pray, serve, love, and proclaim Your Word, make us the answer for a world permeated by fear, despair, and anger.
Father, in the name of Jesus transform our neighborhoods, cities, and nations–spiritually, socially, relationally, and morally.