40 Day Stand - Week 3

Stand in Unity & Faith

Day 15-21 (Sunday June 6 to Saturday June 12) Kingdom Reflection:
We are entering our third week of fasting and prayer, focusing on unity and faith. There are two analogies that help us understand how these words connect in God’s kingdom. The first is to look at them through the lens of an orchestra. Unity does not mean we’re the same. In fact, there are many different instruments in an orchestra with unique sounds. But when they’re played in unity, and when those playing have faith in their conductor’s arrangement, a wonderful symphony of agreement is the result. What’s amazing is that the Greek word for agreement is Symphoneo. This is why a symphony so powerfully presents this week’s theme. The second analogy that ties these words together is seen in the armor of God (see Ephesians 6:10-18). Each piece of armor is a representation of Christ and the believer’s unity with him. The shield of faith is especially applicable in this study, signifying our trust in Jesus, as well as trust in fellow believers. Historically, the Roman army was dominant because of their advanced armour and tactics. One of those tactics was called the shield wall. When Roman soldiers would enter battle they would form a line while overlapping their shields. Each soldier would benefit from the protection of his neighbour’s shield as well as his own. The encouragement for believers is that we are not only protected by our own armour, but we are strengthened by the armour of the person standing next to us. So as we turn our attention to prayer and reading scripture, let’s remember that Christianity is a communal faith. It is best expressed in a community of people who are wholeheartedly committed to each other and to Jesus as their conductor and captain.
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Scriptures for Meditation & Prayer
After reading each scripture, practice praying its primary theme and focus. Suggestions are included after each one.

Philippians 1:27 NIV
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel.

This verse reminds us that we are not only one with our Lord and Savior, but we are one with our brothers and sisters in Christ. We need one another. When battles come the church needs to stand in unity and faith, contending as one for the gospel and for this world.

As you pray into this theme, celebrate your oneness with God and with others. Pray for the bond of peace that produces unity of the Spirit. Remember that as you stand in unity with others, God will command his blessing.

Pray a prayer that celebrates your intimate connection with Christ and his church. How does knowing you stand with other believers help you to stand? Pray for the church to be able to greater connect and have true fellowship. Pray for the church to share their faith with the world around in a way that leads people to God.
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John 17: 20-23 NIV
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

How does unity with Christ and others witness to the world of who God is and how they might know him? Pray for God to be revealed in the world through the unity demonstrated in the church.

Read John 17 in its entirety. This is the high priestly prayer of Jesus. What things stand out to you as you consider this prayer washing over the church throughout history? Record some of those thoughts and pray a prayer of thanksgiving as you contemplate the Lord’s desire for the church.

Pray for people across Canada and ultimately the nations to turn to Christ and to believe in His message. Pray for the eyes of their hearts to be open to His love and mercy.
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Ephesians 4:1-6 NIV
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Jesus is the bond (ligament) of peace that holds the church together when issues try and pull it apart. Pray for the bond of peace in the church to be strengthened. Pray for the body of Christ to make every effort to remain unified and at peace with God and one another.

Ask God to reveal where you and fellow believers can grow in humility, gentleness, and patience with one another. Ask him to fill you and the church with the Spirit of unity in order to demonstrate love regardless of differences.

Is there anyone the Lord is asking you to connect with? Do you need to ask someone for forgiveness or anyone that you need to forgive?

Consider sending a message of encouragement and appreciation to someone in your church whose gifts and personality may be different than yours.
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Psalm 133: 1-3 NIV
1 How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! 2 It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. 3 It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
Pray for the blessing of God to flow over the leadership in your church and to touch every part of the body of Christ. Pray for mutual submission to become more woven into the body of Christ as every member does their part.

Thank God for his commanded blessings over those who live in unity.
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2 Timothy 4.7-8 NIV
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

Pray for yourself and the church to keep the faith in the midst of trials.

Pray that we will all grow in our longing for his glorious appearing and the establishment of his eternal kingdom on earth.
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Colossians 2.6-10 NIV
6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.

Pray for the church to be rooted and established in the love of God and strengthened to live in faith.

Pray for the entire world’s eyes to be opened so we may all be free from the deceptive philosophies of this world. Pray for the church to grasp a revelation of the fullness of who we are in Christ!
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Romans 1:17 AMP
For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed in a way that awakens more faith]. As it is written and forever remains written, “The just and upright shall live by faith.”

Pray for faith and trust to grow in your life, and in the lives of all believers.
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Additional Scriptures & Personal Prayer

Colossians 3.12-15 NIV

In closing, pray anything else that is on your heart. If you choose, you can record your reflections from the Word and the Holy Spirit in a prayer journal.

Consider inviting others to pray with you in online formats such as zoom. Share this prayer and fasting initiative with other believers so they join you in taking a stand.