Photo taken in Colorado.

Author: Elton Streyle, Contributor: Noah, Photography and Editing: Ali

Heavenly Father, in Jesus’ Name, I thank You for creating me to function best by living in community with others. Direct me how to best accomplish living in oneness in a world that is filled with disunity. I appreciate the apostle Paul’s advice in 1 Corinthians 1:10. “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

It is a privilege to have You put people around me and into my life to shape, mold, test, and encourage me. I appreciate that with the direction of the Holy Spirit, I am able to participate in the wonderful gift of Godly community. Lead me to ask for forgiveness when I complain about the minor inconveniences or things I don’t like about others. Direct me to constantly be willing to practice Colossians 3:13-14a. “Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love.”

I know that I can’t achieve the types of relationships You describe in Your Word without Your love and guidance. Give me the strength and perseverance to build strong relationships of unity, and not division. I want to receive what David describes in Psalm 133:1. “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”

In Jesus’ wonderful Name, Amen.