Pray: Part 3 - "Unity" with Craig Groeschel - LifeChurch.tv

One Mind, One Voice

Scripture References

Primary text

• Romans 15:5-7
• John 17:20-23

Other references

• Romans 12:5
• John 13:34-35
• Acts 4:33

Overview

Paul prayed, Jesus prayed—so we will pray—for unity in the family of God. When believers think, speak, and act “with one mind and one voice,” God is glorified and the watching world recognizes that the Father truly sent the Son. In week three of the “Pray” series, Pastor Craig adds a third petition to our growing prayer list: persistent, faith-filled intercession for the unity of Christ’s Church.

Context

• The series explores four actual prayers of the apostle Paul, adding each to our own prayer rhythms.
• Previous weeks: pray for power (Ephesians 3) and for bold evangelism (Philemon 6).
• Today: a unity prayer mirrored by Jesus Himself in John 17.

Main Points

The Prayer Paul Modeled

“With one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
• Romans 15 calls us to treat each other the way Christ treats us—accepting, honoring, loving.
• Unity is not uniformity; differences strengthen the body.

Jesus Asked the Same Thing

• John 17: Jesus prays that all believers “may be one… so that the world will know” the Father’s love.
• If it mattered to Jesus, it must matter to us.

Why Unity Matters

1. We Desperately Need Each Other

   • Romans 12:5: many parts, one body, each belonging to the others.
   • Unity loses power when we label neighboring churches “the enemy.”
   • Story: A door-to-door evangelist told Pastor Craig, “My pastor says your pastor doesn’t preach the truth,” illustrating needless division.
   • Illustration: Fraternity rivalry vanished when a common “enemy” (the baseball team) appeared—shared mission unites.

2. The World Sees God’s Love Through a Unified Church

   • Romans 15:7 pictures acceptance as an embrace and a hand-in-hand walk.
   • John 13:34-35: love for one another is the single mark of a true disciple.
   • When Christians are known more for what we are for than what we are against, credibility returns.

3. Together We Can Do Infinitely More

   • Acts 4:33: unified believers met every need; grace flowed powerfully.
   • Life.Church examples: free Open Network resources, Church Online platform, global network churches—10,300 congregations strengthened.
   • Vision casting: if billions of believers acted as one, starvation, unclean water, poverty, medical lack, and spiritual lostness could be addressed within a single week.

How We Cultivate Unity

• Pray daily for it—then live it.
• Speak well of other churches; correct blatant error but refuse to nit-pick styles or methods.
• Remember persecuted brothers and sisters; their suffering binds us together.
• Err on the side of being “for” fellow Christians, not against them.

Key Truths

• Unity is God’s strategy for revealing His glory and His gospel.
• The church’s diversity is divinely designed; difference does not have to mean division.
• Love, not doctrinal precision or worship style, is Jesus’ chosen apologetic.
• An enemy intent on stealing, killing, and destroying is best resisted by a united front.
• Prayer is the first, simplest, and most powerful action every believer can take toward church unity.

Response

• Pray daily for unity in Christ’s body, starting with your own heart and congregation.
• Speak honorably about other Christians and ministries.
• Seek practical partnership—share resources, serve together, celebrate wins.
• Intercede for persecuted believers; let their courage enlarge your perspective.
• Welcome differences as gifts that equip the church to reach all kinds of people.

Closing

Pastor Craig called the church to lift persistent, specific prayers for unity, believing God will answer and use a united people to change the world.

“We pray for unity in the family of God—so that God will be glorified and the world will know that He sent Jesus.”
Our higher calling is clear: one body, under one name, on one mission—showing Jesus’ love to every person on earth.

Prayer

The congregation prayed for the Spirit’s power to make them agents of unity, for protection and courage for persecuted Christians, and for God to be glorified as the Church stands together in love.

Resources

• Book: “The Christian Atheist” by Craig Groeschel