There is an old saying that there is strength in numbers. To stand alone for a cause is hard but to stand with a group gives us bravado, purpose and identity.

As I write this, feelings are still very raw from the bomb explosion in Manchester. Many people have died or been injured but the people of that city have stood together in solidarity, showing love and concern for each other.

Jesus knew the importance of standing together. When He first sent His disciples out, He sent them in pairs. Jesus knew that His mission would be accomplished more easily if many individuals came together as one body to give strength and support to each other.

In Matthew 16: 18 we read “ And I tell you, you are Peter and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.”

Jesus will build His church and evil will never prevail against it, encouraging words for today.

Peter, then, of course did not realise the importance of those words. Peter, the one who betrayed Jesus, would be the one who would stand up and preach at Pentecost, resulting in many converts to Christianity and the transforming power of Jesus in their lives.

The church would be built on a firm foundation.

We are the church of today and it is our responsibility to serve God’s Kingdom. We stand together as the body of Christ, united in our faith and pray “Thy Kingdom Come”. We have to be the people to make it happen, so by the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, let us go forward together in unity and strength.

A PRAYER INVITING GOD TO USE US:

Heavenly Father, make our lives a sign of your love.
Fill us with a desire to share the good news we have received.
Anoint our lives with your Spirit so that Jesus is formed in us.
His tongue to speak, His hands to work and His heart to beat in us.
We pray that in everything we do and all that we are that Jesus will be made known and His kingdom established. Amen.

God Bless

Judith