A Prayer about Being United by Christ

Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction. 1 Corinthians 1:10

Uniting Lord,

We confess, 

the apostle Paul is holding up a mirror 

to the current state of our churches 

as he pleads with the Corinthians 

to agree “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,” 

to have “no divisions among you.” (1 Corinthians 1:10). 

Like the Corinthians, 

we sometimes make the leaders of our churches 

or the traditions of our denominations 

more important than the gospel. 

Forgive us, Lord,

for all the ways we deny the gospel of your grace. 

Forgive us, Lord, 

for all the ways we look to the “world’s wisdom” 

rather than the upside-down wisdom of the gospel 

to save us. 

Indeed, “Christ crucified” sounds like a strange way 

to be saved to this world, 

but as Christians, 

we know that death is the way to life, 

and that your power displayed 

in Christ’s resurrection

is the only power 

that can save us (1 Corinthians 1:20-25). 

United with Christ, may we be united 

with one another in this saving truth.

In Jesus’ reconciling name. Amen.

Read 1 Corinthians 1:10-31.