Tag Archives: Christian unity

Prayer that We May Tell the Story in Love

Posted on July 17, 2019 by Michael Summers

My wife and I drove from the Leavenworth, Kansas area where we live to a small community roughly twenty miles north of the Tennessee-Alabama state line last month. Twice a year, Christians gather from across the country in Diana, Tennessee, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged a cappella music, Christian unity, Church of Christ, Diana Singing, fellowship, Prayer, religion | 4 Comments

A Prayer for Dwelling in Unity

Posted on June 6, 2019 by Michael Summers

Passion for unity flows throughout biblical narratives and prayers. We may overlook the friction that threatened the confederacy of tribes united around worship of one God and awareness of a common ancestry. The book of Judges records a tragic incident … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Christian unity, John 17, Prayer, Psalm 133, Psalms, Psalms of Ascent, spiritual discipline, Spiritual Formation, spirituality, worship | 2 Comments

Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem

Posted on January 31, 2019 by Michael Summers

We pray for peace. We rarely pray for war or bloodshed. Some topics surface in prayers more frequently. We pray for the sick, the dying, and their families. We pray for wisdom and maturity to mark the actions and thinking … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayers from Psalms | Tagged Christian unity, christianity, diversity, division, Hebrews 12, Jerusalem, joy, peace, pray for the peace of Jerusalem, Prayer, Psalm 122, Psalms of Ascent, relationships, religion, security, Spiritual Formation, spirituality, temple, tribalism | 2 Comments

Prayer in Midst of Catastrophe

Posted on May 17, 2015 by Michael Summers

I have taken a break from posting for several weeks to concentrate on work and academic requirements as I continued to adjust to the recent death of a son. During those weeks, much has happened in the world. Outrage … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged armor of God, Baltimore, Christian unity, christianity, confession, courage, earthquakes, grief, Nepal, petition, Prayer, reconciliation | 1 Comment

Prayer for Less Disputing

Posted on March 9, 2015 by Michael Summers

More than two hundred years ago, five Kentucky preachers penned a document (“The Last Will and Testament of the Springfield Presbytery”) in which they opined that Christians should “pray more and dispute less.” Their words resonate with me when I … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Christian unity, Church Music, confession, discernment, discipleship, ethics, faithfulness, fear, forgiveness, glorifying God, humility, Jesus, love, Prayer | 2 Comments

Resilience and Prayer in Times of Trial

Posted on December 14, 2014 by Michael Summers

Resilience gets us past our hurdles. Soldiers receive training on improving thueir mental and emotional resilience. Resilience helps Soldiers endure ghastly experiences far away from home. It also helps them survive when they return home. Faith is an integral part … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Christian unity, faith, faithfulness, glorifying God, holiness, hope, leadership, love, Loyalty, overwhelmed, persecution, Prayer | 1 Comment

Prayer for an Undying Love

Posted on June 27, 2014 by Michael Summers

“Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and Lord Jesus Christ. Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love” (Ephesians 6:23-24). This benediction, or prayer of blessing, ends the book … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged armor of God, Christian unity, faith, faithfulness, Jesus, love, persecution, Prayer, preparation, Revelation, Spiritual Formation | Leave a comment

A Prayer By Jesus for You and Me

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Michael Summers

The prayer begins with a note of finality: “Father, the time has come.” Jesus will face severe challenges to faith and mission within the next twenty-four hours. He will suffer. His followers, or at least most of them, will vanish … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Christian unity, christianity, discipleship, glorifying God, high priestly prayer, hope, Jesus, John 17, love, mentoring, Prayer, submission, Theology | Leave a comment

Restoring Prayer

Posted on January 26, 2014 by Michael Summers

Early Christians prayed together frequently. After Jesus ascended, his apostles met constantly with other disciples, including the mother of Jesus and his brothers, as well as several women, to pray. After the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged armor of God, Christian unity, christianity, Church of Christ, discipleship, Prayer, restoration, Spiritual Formation | Leave a comment

A Prayer for Joy, Peace, and Hope

Posted on December 13, 2013 by Michael Summers

Division, whether in politics, families, or churches, arises often from insecurity. Paul’s prayer of blessing in Romans 15:13 underscores the role of trust (faith) in achieving peace. Disunity disrupts growth; it displaces hope with confusion and anger. Even as Christianity … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged Christian unity, Church of Christ, faith, glorifying God, hope, Hymns, joy, love, Paul, peace, Prayer, Romans, self-denial | 3 Comments