May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as it is fitting for followers of Christ. – (Romans 15:5, NLT)
May our dependably steady and warmly personal God develop maturity in you so that you get along with each other as well as Jesus gets along with us all. – (Romans 15:5, MSG)
I pray that our God, who calls you and gives you perseverance and encouragement, will join all of you together to share one mind according to Jesus the Anointed. – (Romans 15:5, VOICE)
I love how Paul, being fully aware of both people’s broken humanity and God’s sovereignty, conveyed the need for us to live in harmony with one another, yet prayed for the necessity of God’s intervention in our hearts and lives to make this happen. In order for any of us to join together united in purpose, we must have maturity, perseverance, and encouragement. We need His patience to live in harmony with humanity. Just as Paul called on Christ to help make this happen, so we ought to do likewise. God knows our needs and hears our prayers. He gives what we need to join together in Him, if we seek the Lord and depend on Him for help. May we pray to He who gives all that we need, and pursue peace as we join together with others to bring praise to God, who is worthy of all honor and gratitude.
Let every heart,
Seek after the Lord;
For He meets our need,
To live in accord.
Patience the Lord gives,
Encouragement too;
To walk side by side,
Faithfully pursue.
So pray to our God,
Each request He’ll hear;
Providing His grace,
As the Lord draws near.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You give patience and encouragement to help us live in harmony with one another. Thank You that You grow, develop and establish maturity in us, so that we may get along with whomever You bring into our lives. Forgive us for not seeking You for the patience and encouragement we need when getting along becomes difficult. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would slow down and seek You in all things and at all times, especially when it is challenging to peacefully persevere with those around us. Show us how to love those who challenge us most, and help us to see them through Your eyes. Soften our hearts toward those who lash out or lack love in their interactions, so that they might see You through us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You for all that we need to live in harmony with those around us. Amen.
© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present
Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. – 2 Corinthians 3:5
Revelations In Writing 