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FOCUS VERSES: “You are the body of Christ and parts of each other.” —1 Corinthians 12:27 (CEB)

PRAYER OF PRESENCE:

Gracious God,
As we pause in this moment, still our minds and quiet our hearts.
Let Your Spirit fill us with courage and compassion.
Open our eyes to see Your work around us,
And guide our steps to walk in Your love and truth.
In Christ’s name, Amen.

SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31a

HYMN FOR REFLECTION:

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pf4pXhXiTes 

Blest Be the Dear Uniting Love
Charles Wesley, 1707–1788

  1. Blest be the dear uniting love
    that will not let us part;
    our bodies may far off remove,
    we still are one in heart.
  2. Joined in one spirit to our Head,
    where he appoints we go,
    and still in Jesus' footsteps tread,
    and do his work below.
  3. O may we ever walk in him,
    and nothing know beside,
    nothing desire, nothing esteem,
    but Jesus crucified!
  4. We all are one who him receive,
    and each with each agree,
    in him the One, the Truth, we live;
    blest point of unity!
  5. Partakers of the Savior's grace,
    the same in mind and heart,
    nor joy, nor grief, nor time, nor place,
    nor life, nor death can part.

REFLECTION

Have you ever stubbed your little toe against something hard? If you’re anything like me, this may happen far more often than you’d like to admit—especially if like me you embrace the Brazilian tradition of wearing flip-flops year-round. Each time it happens, it’s as if my whole body rallies in protest. My foot may have taken the hit, but my entire being—mind, emotions, and all—feels the pain. This seemingly small experience reminds me of the powerful words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 12:26: “If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it.”

Paul’s metaphor of the body captures the beautiful yet challenging reality of being part of the body of Christ. Each of us plays a unique role, yet we are deeply interconnected. When one of us struggles, we all share the burden. When one of us rejoices, we all join in the celebration. This interdependence is both a privilege and a responsibility. It means that we are never alone, but it also calls us to be deeply invested in one another’s lives.

That we are connected to one another is an important message to remember, and one that is especially valuable in times of challenge. It's easy to forget about unity in today's world. Individualism often tempts us to think of our faith as a private matter, but the body of Christ cannot function in isolation. The hand needs the eye; the foot cannot say to the head, “I don’t need you.” We are called to be aware of one another’s needs and to care for each other with the same love and grace Christ has given us.

Charles Wesley’s hymn, "Blest Be the Dear Uniting Love," offers a beautiful reminder of this bond. It speaks of a unity that transcends distance, time, and even grief. We are one in Christ, joined together by the Holy Spirit and called to walk in God’s love.

So, let us ask ourselves: How can we live out this unity more fully? Is there someone in our community who is suffering and needs our encouragement? Is there someone who is celebrating and needs our presence? When we act in love and compassion, we are reflecting the heart of Christ, who is the head of this body we call the church.

May we embrace the fullness of being the body of Christ—connected, compassionate, and committed to walking in His love and truth together.

CLOSING PRAYER:

We offer our thanks to thee
   for sending thy only Son to die for us all.
In a world divided by color bars,
   how sweet a thing it is to know
   that in thee we all belong to one family. There are times when we,
    unprivileged people,
   weep tears that are not loud but deep,
   when we think of the suffering we experience.
We come to thee, our only hope and refuge.
Help us, O God, to refuse to be embittered
   against those who handle us with harshness.
    We are grateful to thee
   for the gift of laughter at all times.
Save us from hatred of those who oppress us.
May we follow the spirit of thy Son Jesus Christ. 

— A prayer from the Bantu peoples, South Africa.
Tutu, Desmond. An African Prayer Book (p. 71).

WEEKLY PRACTICE: Jan 26 - 31 (Sun - Fri) 

Intercession: Considering Others in Prayer

These final days of the 31 days of prayer is a chance to build a bridge that connects the habit of prayer in many ways with the evangelistic work of all of us as people of faith. Each day, take time to pray for someone else. Do this by name. Speak or journal with a heart for wholistic health and well being in body, mind, and spirit. Consider a need or desire they have and if prompted within, intercede for them by asking for God’s divine provision in their lives. Whether you trust that prayer is all you are called to do in the moment or you feel prompted to be present in other ways such as an invitation to connect, walk with them through a difficult moment, or otherwise be the hands and feet of Christ in their lives, do so without hesitation. Have faith that God is at work in you and your prayers and that by faith your intercessions will open up the windows of heaven in the others’ lives. 

All honor and glory to God and may God bless you and keep you as you listen and follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit in your prayers. Amen.

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