How do I pray? The importance of unity.
I saw a Civil War battle reenactment in Genesee Country Village and Country Museum near Rochester, New York. Being from the West Coast, I had never seen anything so astounding.
The Union troops dislodged the invading Confederates from the village and then re-engaged in the afternoon on the open field. Canons thundered. Plumes of white smoke squirted six feet out of muskets. Soldiers died writhing in acted pain. In the village, there was even a surgeon’s tent where they explained the horrors of a five-minute amputation, necessary to save lives with the bone-shattering musket balls.
A reenactor explains tying off blood vessels.
The Civil War was a horror. More American lives died there than in World Wars 1 & 2, Korea, and Vietnam combined. In it, brother killed brother.
My daughter, Rebekah, and I, after the battle.
Rightly, Jesus warned against a house divided against itself. Leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift — Matt. 5:24 NIV. The need is so pressing to conserve unity that you should interrupt your prayer time to restore fellowship. Disunity blunts prayer’s power. Let not your church become a Civil War. The church is supposed to horrorize Hell’s henchmen. But when we turn on rifles on each other, we become a laughingstock for demons’ delight.
My sons, Robert and Hosea, hold Union muskets
Conflict occurs because people wrongly think they must compete against other members of the church for preeminence. It’s a worldly concept of dog-eat-dog, put-others-down-so-I-can-climb-on-top, that should be left in the world.
Striving for unity pleases God — and blesses your prayer. You can’t control what people do to you, but you can control how you respond. Being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace — Eph.4:3 NASB. Do all YOU can to preserve oneness.
The Civil War ravaged our nation. May our churches be spared of division. How do I pray? Keep unity.
Mustard Seed Budget 
The best examples I’ve seen in my lifetime of keeping unity were done by a few godly people who each had been clearly wronged yet chose to seek peace instead of justice. Unity does not always mean agreement nor does it always seem ‘fair’ or ‘right’…it looks for a cause deeper than their own. Great post.
That is a HUGE key. Awesome comment!
Your words are so true. Thanks for the photo’s I couldn’t imagine brothers killing brothers but I guess that’s what were doing when we can’t hold our tempers, or we are to proud to say I am sorry. take care God Bless.
wow… help us, Lord!
Sounds like you’re having a great family trip. May it continue to be richly blessed!
thanks. first family trip ever!
Great post – welcome to the east! Unity is so important. Thanks for highlighting it today!
Yes, I am enjoying the East!
and the countryside!
Where do you live?
I live in Norther New Jersey – about 20 miles from New York City.
Praise God for Christians on the East Coast!
Amen – and for those on the left coast as well
btw, NICE gravatar photo! It’s an upgrade. (Though the other one was good too! Very down to earth!) 😀
Oh yeah, and Santa Monica is among the most left-leaning anti-God of all places, along with Hollywood and San Francisco. But God has a remnant!
Thank God for His body spread throughout the earth – light shining in gross darkness.
Thanks for the remainder. In unity we stand and divided we fall. It is true because when you pick a broom stick, you can easily break it but when you take a bunch of it, you will find it very difficult to break. God bless you!
Praise God!
That isn’t too far from here. I love reenactments. My uncle and his family are big into them and they do this one and you might have seen them there 🙂 Small world, huh?
A house divided will surely fall…yes, I agree, an excellent reminder.
We’re going to Niagara Falls tomorrow! See you there!
310-403-6471 Come and catch up with the family!!!
I’ll pray for your pain!
I feel beginning in one’s own home is one’s first church. Basically harmony in the home is where God resides. Within one’s heart Love is and soon extends out filling the tree of Christ’s Church.
I enjoyed reading your blog post understanding the point behind it. 🙂
My son Uriah and I are on much better terms no longer grinding wheels but have been oiled with Love for peace in the home, God’s home.
Praise God!
We must realize that the devil want to, and plan on schemes to destroy the unity of God’s church. Sobering lesson from an astounding illustration
Thanks!
You should come see a reenactment at Gettysburg. Unbelievably realistic, and historically accurate. Beautiful countryside, once made hideous by bloodshed and death. Sin does that.
I’m sure it is absolutely incredible and absolutely impossible for us to get there! The only reason we came to Rochester is because relatives live here which eliminates hotel and cuts down on food bill! Praise God for relatives!!
Well, you never know. If you ever do, please make sure to tell me–I’m only a couple of hours away!
Praise Him!
Brilliant post!
“You can’t control what people do to you, but you can control how you respond.”
So true! People find it easier to blame others for their own response, then wonder what’s wrong with the world. The quote above is a very powerful truth.
😗😇