Ep. 45 - Dwelling Together in Unity

A liturgy for dwelling together in unity.

Behold, how good & pleasant it is

when brothers & sisters dwell together in unity.

Surely, from an eternity before this was penned by our brother David,

You, Father, considered my team.

You chose us & called us out from our nations,

in accordance with Your foreknowledge of our willing obedience.

You led each of us by the hand

to our new homes & places of calling.

Indeed, You Yourself marked out our appointed times

& the very boundaries of our cities.

You brought us together for Your good work

& by Your good nature.

So, why, O Good Shepherd, is unity so hard?

Why are my brothers & sisters, chosen by You,

One of the greatest difficulties of staying?

Together, we span decades, regions, thoughts, preferences, & ideologies,

& through these we clash like rams on a mountainside.

Is this even hate that tries to rouse itself within my heart?

Forgive me, O my Strength & my Song, for You tell us to keep on

Loving one another as brothers & sisters, & to be compassionate & humble.

You bring my heart to a place of pasture that I might recall -

We love because You first loved us while we were still in darkness.

You bring my mind to a place of still waters that I might recount -

Every trial has brought to my heart perseverance & a bloom of great love.

You bring my soul to a place of refreshing that I might realise -

It is in You we find oneness & it is in that oneness that

We may be brought to complete unity.

It is in this unity, as You speak over my team, that the world may know

Your life-giving story.

Help me, Father, to remember them as I kneel before You.

Teach me, O True Vine, to be sacrificial & to serve according to the example

You set for us.

For in this there is great blessing - not only for myself, nor for my team,

But for all the world.

We did not choose each other, yet now we have the privilege to.

In this, there is victory & great rejoicing.

אָמֵן

Amen

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