WEEK OF PRAYER AND FASTING 2025 - DAY 3

Read Psalm 133

‘Behold, how good and pleasant it is
    when brothers dwell in unity,
2 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!
3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
    which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the Lord has commanded the blessing,
    life forevermore.’ 

COMMENT: Last night, Yaa shared this passage at our prayer meeting.

This psalm encourages us to consider the beauty and the power that lies in Christian unity.

This kind of unity is substantial rather than superficial, for it is a genuine unity which comes from a unity in truth and in Jesus, rather than simply being the maintenance of a unity for the sake of unity in itself.

This kind of unity at the deepest level, can only be created by the Gospel and sustained by the Spirit.

It is this kind of unity which we must pray for, and work hard for, and protect, for as the final verse says - it is here that the Lord has commanded a blessing.

In John 13:35 Jesus says: ‘By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another’.

Christian unity is essential to the advance of the Kingdom. It really does matter what kind of community and culture we are inviting others to become a part of. And so we ought to pray for this good and pleasant unity.

PRAYER POINTS

1. Give thanks to the Lord for the unity and culture that God has been establishing in our church family over the last few years. Pray that God would protect and guard us, and continue to grow between us a unity that is good and pleasant. 

2. Pray that our unity would be rooted in the truth and reality of Jesus, and that it would shape the way we love one another. Pray that our church culture would increasingly be known for generosity and hospitality and love.

3. Pray for the other churches in our town. St Neots is blessed with many wonderful healthy Gospel churches. Pray for their ministries and ask the Lord to bless them as they walk faithfully with him.

4. Pray specifically for each church: St Neots Evangelical Church, Open Doors, River Church, Love’s Farm Church, Berkeley Street Methodist Church, the United Reform Church and the various St Mary’s Anglican Churches.

Pray for Gospel faithfulness. Pray for provision. Pray for unity and love. Pray for boldness and courage. Pray for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit to bring a blessing.

5. And finally, please pray for our Messy Church this morning.