What does unity mean to you? In a chaotic and divided world, sometimes the word “unity” can sound like something naive, irrelevant, and incompatible with the broken world we live in. Whether we’re talking about politics, beliefs, or personal opinions, it can often feel like unity is something that just can’t work in a broken world.
What can we do as individual followers of Jesus? Below, you’ll find some practical tips for creating unity, plus some example prayers to help you become a unifier in your community.
We’re Unified in Christ
Division is nothing new. It was a challenge early in church history and something the Apostle Paul addressed head-on.
In 1 Corinthians 1, Paul said he’d received reports that believers in Corinth were segmenting themselves based on who’d shared the gospel with them. They said things like, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of Apollos,” or, “I am of Christ.” Rather than being united as one body of Christ, they were dividing themselves into smaller groups and factions.
Paul was upset by this division. In 1 Corinthians 1:13, he asked them these simple questions: “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?” Paul didn’t want the believers of Corinth to get lost in comparisons and separations. He wanted them united under Christ: one King, one Gospel.
In a world of fighting and division, the body of Christ, the Church, gets to show the power of the Gospel.
Paul brought them back to their common identity: people who found new life through Jesus Christ. Without Christ, there is no unity. But under Christ, we can be united in a way that the world has never seen or understood. In a world of fighting and division, the body of Christ, the Church, gets to show the power of the Gospel. We are united, focused on Jesus and only Jesus.
We’re Unified In Mission
Almost every successful company or group in history has shared something in common: they all had a unifying mission. Missions are critical in aligning objectives for a single purpose.
As Christians, we all share the same mission. We are unified in following Jesus and making disciples. And yet, even among Christians, there is so much division and disunity.
Part of the division comes from our lack of clarity on what God’s mission is all about—to save the world through Jesus’ sacrifice and share this good news through believers, as they love God and their neighbors. It’s easy to let influential people and our values and opinions add to our understanding of the gospel of Jesus. And when we start to believe that God only cares for people who think, act, or vote the “right way,” we put ourselves at risk of causing division.
Unity in Differing Opinions
The psalmist in Psalm 133:1 reflects on how good it is when the people of God live together in unity. Something powerful happens among Christians when we are unified.
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! Psalm 133:1 NIV
Christians are called to examine our lives to see how we can be agents of unity—but not uniformity. Unity doesn't demand that we all sound and act the same, but it does mean we should strive for harmony amidst diversity.
We’re Unified in the Church
All of us, together, are part of Jesus’ body—the Church. Together, we reflect who He is and what He has done. When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we receive His Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit enables us to live like Jesus by equipping us with unique gifts we can use to strengthen and encourage the Church. When we listen to the Holy Spirit, He draws us closer to God and to each other.
Because it is the same Spirit at work within each of us, anyone who belongs to Jesus is part of His body and has a unique role to play. But just as a physical body will not function unless everything works together, the Church will not function the way it was intended unless we are receptive to the work of the Spirit in us and committed to putting Jesus first.
Division Weakens the Church
Can you imagine living in a house with a cracked foundation? Over time, the walls will cave in, and the ceiling might buckle or split in two. It might not happen right away, but eventually, everything falls apart. In Mark 3:25, Jesus portrays the impact of division …
If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. Mark 3:25 NIV
Jesus wasn't just talking about political parties or physical homes. He was teaching a powerful principle applicable to every area of life: Where there is unity, there is strength. But when division seeps into a social structure—a family, a community, a neighborhood, a workplace, or a church—it weakens the whole environment.
5 Prayers for Unity
Jesus’ power is the only power that can unify humanity. And because Jesus’ great power is at work within the global Church, we can intentionally wait for His return by sharing His love, joy, hope, and peace with everyone around us. Because our hope, strength, and future is in Jesus.
The Church is healthy when it works together—united in its desire to love people like Jesus did and serve others the way Jesus did.
Practically, this starts with prayer that leads to action. This action could look like serving the people we see at the store, on the street, or at a church service. It could look like inviting someone to your house for a meal, helping someone find a job, being a safe space for a vulnerable family, or financially supporting a non-profit. It could also look like praying for unity in your home, workplace, church, nation, or the whole world.
1. A Prayer for Unity
God, You alone can unite Your children. You make sinful hearts clean. You make broken families whole. You make divided nations return to You. Help me remember Your power to unite and Your will for togetherness. Mend the divisions You see in me, and mend the divisions You see in the world. In Jesus' name, amen.
2. A Prayer for Church Unity
Jesus, because of Your death and resurrection, I am part of Your body—the global Church. Help me to take the role I play in it seriously. The choices I make reflect the way Your Church is perceived. Use me to bring Your hope, love, and joy to the world. Use me to build others up. Bring revival to Your people, so Your body represents You authentically and powerfully. Amen.
3. A Prayer for Unity in the World
God, You know how much division there is in this world. I pray Your Church will be an example of the unity only Your love can bring. Help me foster unity in every environment I step into, seeking to understand and keeping my focus on Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.
4. A Prayer for Unity in Christ
Father God, thank You that salvation belongs to You alone! You alone are worthy of all our praise and worship! You have—and You will—rescue and deliver us. As I look forward to Jesus’ return, show me how I can join with Christians around the world in praising You and celebrating Your great name. Make us unified around Your power and love. In Jesus’ name, amen.
5. A Prayer Against Division
God, fill me with a spirit of unity. I want to be a uniter, not a divider. Give me a tongue that speaks with understanding and compassion, reflecting Your love. Strip away my pride to “be right” and replace it with a heart of harmony. In Jesus’ name, amen.
How Will You Create Unity?
Take a moment to consider the people in your life who are different from you. What steps can you take today to build a greater sense of unity with those around you? Consider a few ways that you can make Jesus famous in your life through your relationships and communities.
This could look like overlooking a minor offense (Proverbs 19:11), listening with understanding to someone with differing viewpoints (Philippians 2:3-4), redirecting a conversation rooted in gossip (Proverbs 20:19), or apologizing for a hasty response (James 5:16). Every day, you have a choice to pursue unity. How is God calling you to foster unity today?