DAY 7 - THE CHURCH

Church isn’t a building. It’s not something we go to. It’s something we are part of. Last Saturday night, I distinctly remember saying to the kids, “You need a good night’s sleep, we’re heading to church in the morning!”. Just a few days earlier, I was discussing our seating layout with someone who said, “Maybe we should leave a little more space at the front of the church”. Nothing seems odd about these statements, because we usually speak in this way, but they are actually a bit misleading. The church is the assembly—the gathered people of God, not the physical structure. And the church isn’t just a place for Christians to hang out together like a social club or a support group. The church is God’s idea, and a key part of His strategy for bringing His Kingdom to earth! The church exists to glorify Him, form us, and bless the world.

The challenge of church is that often it is messy, and we can all be difficult at times. We argue and bicker, hurt and wound, gossip and whisper, and to avoid this, some opt to be “lone ranger Christians”, unplugging from the church altogether and attempting to follow Jesus in isolation. This is a great tragedy, because even though the global church is deeply flawed, it is Christ’s body. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 12:27, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” He didn’t say that believers can opt-in or out, depending on our preference. He said that each of us is part of it. And this Jesus that we follow, who is the Head, is attached to His body. 

When my wife decided to say “yes” to marrying me, she didn’t have the option of just marrying my head, but casting my body aside. She couldn’t say, “Well, his head says nice things to me and listens to me, but his body isn’t as attractive as some, so I’ll just marry the head thanks”. When she said “yes” to me, the head and body were a package deal. When we embark on a new life with Jesus, we become part of His body—the church—and we take on unique responsibilities as members of the body. Paul even says that “each member belongs to all the others” (Romans 12:5), as we become brothers and sisters with followers of Jesus across the earth. Mission, community, revival—many of the things we’ve prayed about this week—function in the gathered people of God, not individuals in isolation.

As we conclude this week of fasting and prayer today, let’s pray for the church in its local, national, and global forms. Let’s thank God for His promise that “the gates of Hades will not overcome it” (Matthew 16:18), and for His willingness to work through us to bring His Kingdom to earth. Let’s pray for those who have become isolated from the church, that they would return to find open arms and loving hearts. Let’s pray for the church in persecuted places, that it would be a light to the nations despite the darkness around it, and that it would be filled with strength and perseverance. Let’s pray for new churches to be planted, for leaders of integrity and wisdom to be raised up, and for healing to occur where there has been hurt. Let’s declare unity and love over the global church, that we would be one, as Jesus and the Father are one.

Mighty God, thank you that we get to be your temple, and that your Spirit dwells in us. Help us to love one another as you have loved us, that by this, the world would know that we are your disciples. Move in power in your church, releasing strength in places of suffering, provision in places of need, and wisdom for church leaders locally, nationally, and globally. May everything that we do as your body bring glory and honour to your name, Jesus. Amen.