MONDAY, September 12

1 Corinthians 1:1-19. Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose.

St. Paul believed that Christian life is essentially life within community, even though one’s personal faith and commitment is obviously important. Reconciliation with God and one another is a fruit of the gospel. When members of the little church in Corinth began to take sides in choosing their leaders, Paul admonished them.

Reconciliation and unity are essential for the well-being of us all. Ten years ago on the day after 9/11, there was enormous unity among Americans and among many people throughout the world. There was unity in grief and resolve. We found great strength, even in despair.

Today, many of us are once again divided, and our loyalties are focused on individual leaders, parties, and ideologies. There is often more interest in winning than in reconciliation.

Here’s a question for the day: “How does the gospel guide my citizenship?”

PRAY for the Diocese of Sodor and Man (York, England)

Ps 56, 57, [58] * 64, 65; 1 Kings 21:1-16; Mathew 4:1-11

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Sep 12, 2011 at 7:17 am

Written by wondering,

Was the unity after 9/11 one of reconciliation and love or one of hatred? Hmmmm?

Unity in truth

Sep 12, 2011 at 7:56 am

Written by @PrayerChristian,

Thanks for this reminder of how important unity is. I think often of Jesus' fervent prayer "that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you."

And, certainly, there is no unity without truth. I pray that we, as a nation, will seek that truth.

Unity in truth

Sep 12, 2011 at 7:57 am

Written by @PrayerChristian,

-1

...

Sep 12, 2011 at 8:32 am

Written by stephen row,

I am a citizen of both the United States and God's kingdom, but my allegiance to the latter MUST ALWAYS take priority. When Karl Barth drafted the Confession of Barmen he stood up to an evil regime, insisting that Jesus Christ alone is Lord. When Thomas More was executed by King Henry VIII, he insisted that God alone was head of the church of England.

...

Sep 12, 2011 at 9:21 am

Written by Barbara Summers,

I believe the unity following 9/11 was one of support and love for the United States, not hatred.

My country and God's Word

Sep 12, 2011 at 12:31 pm

Written by Shirley,

His Word teaches that we must be truthful without bias or deceipt and God's commandments should be our guide first and then our Constitution whioh I beleive our founding fathers used to write this fabulous Constitution. When we move away from that Constitution is when this country gets into trouble.

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Sep 12, 2011 at 1:12 pm

Written by Olive,

I think we drew together to support each other against a commmon enemy much the same as family members will defend each other if somone not a family member attacks one or some. They may quarrel among themselves but stand together against an "outsider". Now I have a greater family in my Church, a large number who support me in time of trouble. When our army invaded Afghanistan, I wept for the women and children. When we attacked Iraq, I wept for the whole world.

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Sep 12, 2011 at 8:31 pm

Written by CDL,

When we were attacked a decade ago, I the main emotion I felt was not hatred, but a deep, abiding hurt. I couldn't believe that anyone hated the United States and its people that much. It still hurts a lot to remember what happened. I try to pray for our attackers but that is a high hurdle.

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