There are many ways to love our brothers and sisters in Christ, but there is one way that is perhaps the easiest and most effective.

How can and should we pray for the body of Christ? We can love our brothers and sisters in Jesus in the easiest (but arguably the most powerful) way, by praying that churches and leaders:

• worship in spirit and in truth
• boldly proclaim the gospel

Recently at a community Bible study I am co-leading with a friend, she shared about her family’s ride to church last week.

She and her children decide to pray on the way for every church they passed.

Such a simple, profound act opened the door for incredible discussion about loving the Body of Christ, about sound doctrine and accurate theology, and about the power of prayer. And do you know what happened? Sarah and her kids passed 14 churches on the way to their own.

Fourteen buildings where people gathered to pray, to hear teaching from scripture, and to worship.

Fourteen buildings where brothers and sisters in Christ were seeking fellowship and encouragement to walk boldly in the calling of Christ for all His redeemed ones.

And here’s another note: not all fourteen were Bible-teaching churches. So Sarah also had opportunity to discuss with her children about praying for the salvation of those who think they are “all good” spiritually, but who do not know the saving power of Jesus. Even little ones prayed, and I was so convicted when I heard this story: I have the opportunity every day to pray specifically for my brothers and sisters in Christ – and it’s honestly the easiest way I can love the Body.

And we HAVE TO LOVE THE BODY: it’s His bride.

When Jesus interacted with the woman at the well, He distinguished for her that “true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him.” (John 4:23b ESV)

His lesson is one we do well to remember today: our faith is not determined by where we worship or with whom, but rather it is rooted in the truth about Jesus as taught us in the Word, by the Spirit of God. We love our brothers and sisters in Christ first and foremost by praying they will know Christ through the gospel, and worship Him for who He says He is.

A good note to remember about worshiping in spirit and in truth:

“Unless we have knowledge of the God we worship, there is no worship in truth. Both are necessary for God-honoring worship. Spirit without truth leads to a shallow, overly emotional experience that could be compared to a high. As soon as the emotion is over, when the fervor cools, the worship ends. Truth without spirit can result in a dry, passionless encounter that can easily lead to a form of joyless legalism. The best combination of both aspects of worship results in a joyous appreciation of God informed by Scripture.” (source)

In Ephesians 6, Paul describes the “armor of God,” exhorting believers to stand strong in God’s provision in a dark and often dangerous world. Verses 18(b) through 20 are especially fitting here:

“To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” (Ephesians 6:18b-20, ESV)

So let’s pray, intentionally, for our fellow Christians! This week, make it your aim to pray for every church you pass (and even every believer’s home!), that our brothers and sisters in Christ may worship in spirit and in truth, and that they may boldly proclaim the gospel!

Related Episodes and Posts:

• We Need Our People (The Church is God’s Provision for us; episode 35)
• How to Let Go of Your Fears and Host a Bible Study
• Dwell Richly (The Word-Rich Inviting Life; episode 39)
• Refine Your Focus: Pursue Community in Love (episode 21)
• The Gift of Desperation… and Community! (episode 19 with Kera Freeman)

Resources:

• Time Challies: A Pastoral Prayer for Unity
• A great article on Spirit and Truth