May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:5-6)

This Thursday (May 1st) marks the United States’ National Day of Prayer, a day when people from all over the country gather to pray for and with one another, as well as for our nation. In a time when it’s hard for many people of differing political and religious affiliations to work together, this day may be challenging. Why should we pray for and with people we can’t stand—what’s the point? I see this day not as one where we pray that other people will start to look at the world in the same ways we do. Rather, I see it as a day where all kinds of people can come together, in spite of differences, and pray that we may find ways to work together with the gifts God has given each one of us so that God might be glorified and that the social, economic, etc. barriers which separate us may one day be broken down. As we as a nation mark this National Day of Prayer, I challenge you to think of a person or persons that you may struggle to find common ground with, and pray for them—or even find them and take a minute to pray with them! May that prayer or time of prayer be unifying so that we all can indeed, one day, join together with one voice to glorify God in our Savior Jesus Christ.