“The glory that You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one even as We are one” John 17:22 (ESV)
Jesus’ own words! He has given us His glory so we can be one! In our unity the world sees Jesus (v23). Guess what the world sees in our disunity… it simply sees itself and that’s not very attractive! The glory of God is revealed through His church when we walk in glory. The knowledge of His glory that will fill the earth will be through His people! Unity is worth the effort! The enemy knows it and makes it his every effort to bring division and strife!
The apostle Paul wrote that we are to do whatever it takes to maintain the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3). Unity isn’t just knowing the name of the pastor of that church across town.
Unity requires action, it requires commitment, it requires staying in the room even when you want to run. Unity is about being citizens of another world together! One time Jesus was told that His family had come to see Him and His reply was piercing. He declared “Those who do the will of My Father are My mother, sisters and brothers” (Matthew 12:46-50).
Nights of Glory, Athens House of Prayer, The Altar of Fire, Contending to Revival Prayer, Pastor’s Prayer, Prayer Walks and more, are just examples of how we can stand together, and press forward as one in this dark hour! King David told us that God literally commands His blessing when His children walk in unity (Psalm 133). So as we do whatever it takes to live in unity with one another, God releases blessing and reveals His glory through us!!! That is why we must put feet on our unity!
Please seek God about what He is asking of you in doing whatever it takes to walk and live in unity with your brothers and sisters in Athens. Ask Him for specific ways to serve and minister with others across the city. Pray that every wall of division, of offense, of pride, or where doctrine has become more important than obedience, to be exposed and removed. Ask God to stir your pastor to do whatever it takes to maintain the kingdom unity in our city, which usually means stepping out of their own ministry to be a part of something so much greater! Pray that God would grant us a grace in Athens to establish one citywide body that releases God’s commanded blessing and makes known His glory!
