Strength In Community

For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.

“Will you pray for me?”

I hit the send button on my text, then paused before adding a few details to my request, trusting friends to hold what I’d shared in confidence but also to petition God on my behalf. As my second text zoomed off, I felt a weight lift. Now that others knew what was going on, the lie that I was alone dissipated, and it felt like I could breathe again.

As two beautiful, simple prayers appeared in the text thread, my eyes welled with tears. I thanked God for friends who immediately drop what they are doing to pray over me, reminded yet again of the power when two or more in the family of God gather in prayer.

While our American culture idolizes fierce independence, that’s not the standard outlined in the New Testament for followers of Jesus. The first-century church supported one another financially, emotionally, and spiritually. God never intended for us to walk our faith journeys alone. While sometimes it’s necessary because of circumstances beyond our control, we are stronger physically, emotionally, and spiritually when we belong to a committed community of people genuinely trying to love God and love others. We need people who pray for us, encourage us, and remind us of who we are in Christ when we momentarily forget.

If you have suffered at the hands of church people, I am so sorry. Please do not allow that experience to keep you from godly community. A Bible study, a moms’ group, a different church—God’s family is not a monolith, and there is absolutely a place for you to develop your faith and use the gifts God has given you. If you are already in a faith community but are feeling disgruntled, ask God for clarity on what needs to change, first in you and then in your community. Belonging to a body of fellow believers is a gift from God that is worth the effort.

Julie

Today’s Act of Gratitude

Make a list of characteristics you love about your faith community. Prayerfully consider how you can lend your gifts to make that community stronger. If you don’t have a faith community, ask God for guidance on finding or creating one.