How God Brings Unity Through Prayer
The Power of Prayer
By Karen McNary – BSF Director of Global Cultural Engagement and Community
Political unrest. COVID. Natural disasters. Economic uncertainty. Church splits. Divisive issues are limitless. While the specifics may differ in each culture, none of this is new to God. We discover this truth while reading Israel’s history. In BSF’s study, People of the Promise: Kingdom Divided, God’s people failed to follow His commands individually and collectively. Rather than be a blessing to the nations, they found themselves in a chaotic, divided kingdom.
The reason for our turmoil today is the same — sin. So is the solution — prayer. God states this clearly in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “… if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
God knew His people would fail, sin, and disobey Him. And in His goodness, He offers us the way back. Despite present circumstances, God can and will unite His people when we humble ourselves and pray.
How should we pray?
Early in my Christian life I found prayer challenging. In my experience, it was done by a gifted church member who prayed extemporaneously and sounded like a beautifully written psalm. Then there was prayer before meals and before bed. For me, this was a perfunctory monologue rather than a heartfelt dialogue.
But I’ve come to realize that prayer is talking with God about any and everything, both personally and corporately. When God’s people speak to Him in prayer, He responds. God still speaks primarily through the Bible, though sometimes He also may also use circumstances or people.
Prayer is as unique as the individuals who are praying. Prayer takes on many forms, from liturgical to extemporaneous, and we will not always be uniform in how we pray. Why we pray differs as well. Throughout Scripture we see prayers for guidance, lament, wisdom, praise, and many others. Each prayer has its own unique posture. In 2 Chronicles 14:11, Asa prayed in desperation, in 1 Kings 18:37, Elijah prayed in expectation, and in Lamentations, the author composed prayers through poetry. Though their method of prayer was diverse, God’s people were, and are, united in their need to pray to the one true God of heaven and earth.
What happens when we don’t pray?
A verse from the hymn What A Friend We Have in Jesus sums it up nicely:
“What peace we often forfeit, what needless pains we bear, all because we do not carry, everything to God in prayer.”
In 1 Kings 12, we read about the painful consequences of neglecting to seek God in prayer. King Solomon’s son Rehoboam ascended to the throne. Faced with potential rebellion, Rehoboam consulted the elders and then his peers, but he neglected to pray. Following the advice he wanted to hear, Rehoboam pushed the nation of Israel into rebellion. The people rebelled and claimed Jeroboam as their king, dividing Israel into two kingdoms; the northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Tragically, Jeroboam also neglected to pray. This led both nations down a dark path for generations.
Two kings. Two nations. No prayer. No peace. Could this pattern be said of Christians today? Lack of prayer has personal and corporate implications.
Corporate prayer unites God’s people
Years later, King Jehoshaphat of Judah faced a national crisis. After years of peace, several neighboring countries prepared to attack. 2 Chronicles 20:3-4 records, “Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.”
Jehoshaphat’s first response was prayer, and together, the people united before the Lord. While I am sure they were divided in how to respond to the national crisis, prayer united hearts to God and to each other. He sought the Lord first, the nation prayed, and God won the battle. I wonder how many outcomes would differ, and how many hearts would unite if this was the normal response of Christians to crises? God blesses unity.
Individual prayer promotes unity
As both faithful and rebellious kings reigned in Israel and Judah, God sent prophets to speak on His behalf. These prophets were faithful men who continued to share God’s truth. They preached salvation and unity for those who would repent and turn to God. Despite their message of hope, they were despised and hunted. How did they persevere? These men prayed. Through prayer, their hearts remained tender toward God’s people.
When division threatens God’s people today, we can pray for one another. Through individual prayer for others, even those we disagree with, God softens our hearts and gives us renewed patience.
Prayer matters because we live in a fallen world where sin affects every aspect of life. But Christians have a powerful weapon which is often underutilized. Each of us has a choice. We can continue trying to repair our divided “kingdoms” today on our own or humble ourselves and pray. May we be a people that come together to seek the Lord united through prayer.
Karen McNary
Director of Global Cultural Engagement and Community
Karen served as a Children’s Leader, Substitute Teaching Leader, Teaching Leader, Area Personnel and most recently as a Skills Coach for BSF prior to joining the staff in April 2021. She is originally from Louisville, Ky. and for the past 20 years has called Charlotte, N.C. home. She has been married to her husband, Keith, for 27 years. They have three sons who attended the BSF Student Program.
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This was wonderful, simple, yet powerful words, what a great to put it, thank you for such a great reminder about prayer!
Thank you! When our eyes are on God we can see others! Your writing style is true, succient, humble and powerful.
Thank you, there are so many needs today, I struggle, I feel I do not pray enough and the right way. I appreciate your words and insight. I need to remember God knows my heart, and as I jump around in prayer He hears.
I like this teaching on prayer.
Love this recap of the divided kingdom, its people and how it applies to our lives today. I pray 2 Chronicles 7:14 every day. God has given us this land and we’re so blessed to be living in it. Unfortunately, sin is ruining it and it’s young minds. BUT GOD….. our hope is only in Him! Thank you so much for posting this article, Karen.
BSF this year is a momentous gift to my soul. The method of enlightenment through the teachings yields clarity to these stories of old. Historically it had been very difficult for me to grasp the concepts in Kings. Now my heart, mind and soul grasps the teachings in ways I never grasped before. God’s blessings upon all those so pivotal in the authoring of Kingdom Divided. 🙏🏾
I am reminded of the song why worry just pray.
Jesus was constantly in prayer .
He teaches us continually to seek him with all our hearts and we will be found by Him.
Thank you Karen. This is so deep and inspiring for me considering all the happenings in my country Nigeria 🇳🇬, we will continue to seek God in prayers because He’s the King of all nations.
Hello Karen..I’m a GL from India..thank you for this blog on prayer..yes indeed..what peace we often forfeit because we do not take it to God in prayer..a world of turmoil..yes even politically..God save us and help us and give us peace.
Beautifully said. Thank you.
I have so often heard other Christians lament about how much they hate studying the Old Testament. It saddens me every time. The lessons we learn from study of the Old Testament are as timely today as ever. To gain a deeper understanding of Our Father the books of the Old Testament are absolutely Essential Reading.
Karen,
Thank you for this reminder how important and powerful prayer is. Many times I struggle to pray.
Blessings to you.
Every week my BSF group engages in political discussion. Is there a policy against this? Is there a way I can steer discussion away from this?
Hi Mark,
We do ask that our discussion groups avoid partisan discussions which would be supporting or criticizing political parties/members. We also realize some topics are biblical, but have become politicized. As a bible study, we don’t avoid hard truths or topics that rise from the passage we’re studying. Without knowing more details, I suggest talking with your group leader or teaching leader.
This is all so true!!! When one is no longer fearful of exposing the need at large to our heavenly father, His blessing not only is reveal in that season but God’s mighty will is accomplished through our faithfulness in trusting Him through our walking in prayer unto Him! Amen and thank you for sharing this! Prayer is everything and powerful.
Thank you Karen for this timely and well written blog. You have encouraged me. Hugs!
Amen Karen! Thanking God for message He gave you to share. Thanking God that He orchestrated my life in such a way that prayer has been a part of it from a child. Reminds me of some lyrics from a song ” Been walking with Jesus a long time – praying a long time- I’m not tired yet!”
I pray, talk of prayer and tell other’s how important it is all the time. Then I read this, realize I need to humble myself, I have been praying, but not giving my full heart and needs that are heavy on my heart to my Father. I need to come and trust Him fully. I ask for you to pray that I do this the first thing daily, so I can serve him fully. Thank you!
I’m new to this site and it was helpful we all need to pray and pray for each other power in unity
Really it’s very interesting and helpful.Please pray for me to persevere in prayer and use the powerful weapon God give me. Blessings
Excellent remarks – renews my interest in prayer and encouraging others to pray, especially for our country
Thank you for reminding me of the importance of prayers.Please pray for me to go back to prayers and be excited to meet with God
Pray sent for this request, James.
Thank you Karen, for your powerful message on prayer. You are an inspiration, and I pray I continue to develop my daily prayer time and communications with God and truly become a prayer warrior. God bless you and be with you and your family always
Thank you so much for todays message it was timely. have a Blessed day Karen McNary.
Thanks so much for this. It encourages me to continue to pray and cry out to Our Heavenly Father for help , peace, and all I need to Serve Him
Karen, thank you so much for your wisdom on prayer and how it fosters unity . . . the challenge is received.
Karen, this was beautifully written! It really made me stop & think about underutilized my prayer-power is. Thank you so much for waking me up!!!
Great reflection on prayer.
Thank you for this message of Prayer, I have prayed for our leaders for wisdom and grace etc., but I never thought about prayer for our leaders to stay faithful to God, not to waiver , even to stay pure. Solomon loved 700 wives that had to have been a divided household, on so many levels. Firstly, on the spiritual level that was most important , but also on an emotional, physical and mental level. This also shows us that our sin (unconfessed) can reach and teach the next generation (as David had many wives).
Prayer does matter in this fallen world, this has encouraged me to be more mindful about our underutilized weapon. Thank you again.
I have attended a local BSF group, for the past seven years before changing to an online class available from this same BSF group three years ago. Given my age and health conditions, I am so very thankful to be able to continue in BSF via online opportunities.
Question: I have received the Divided Kingdom study book. However, I am not able to access the Lectures online.
Until this year, I logged into mybsf.org and got the lectures and all other available materials.
Can you help figure out how to again access the Lectures on both my desk top computer and IPad ?
Hello Teresa! good question. If you are in a BSF Online group, you will access your lectures via your BSF Online account rather than mybsf.org. I would recommend reaching out to your group leader for help accessing your lectures or using the “ask for help” button on mybsf.org or BSF Online.
Did you get a response? Is problem fixed? I have same issue as yours.
Hi Mary, Please contact member/tech support using the app or mybsf.org. Find a “need help” or “submit questions” button on either platform and we can help you figure out your account. Thank you!
Thanks for you respond but I don’t use app for BSF. So cannot help, right?
Have you logged into mybsf.org? There is also a support button on that platform.