Each of the superheroes in the movie “The Avengers”, (featuring Iron Man, Captain America, the Hulk and Thor) have strong personalities yet when they put their egos and differences aside and work together with a single, razor-sharp focus they can accomplish wonders together. All of them as one combined team is much more effective than fighting the battle as one person.
Competition within individual churches and denominations goes back generations. However, in reality, all competition does is seeks to make our individual kingdom larger and switches our focus away from the Kingdom of God. While we have been criticising and competing against each other, Satan, our real competition, has been having a field day heaping discouragement, hopelessness and immorality on the people who live throughout this land. Satan desires to divide and he loves nothing more than to see churches falling prey to petty grievances, complaints and rivalry because he knows that “A kingdom divided by civil war will collapse.” (Mark 3:24).
We read in Ephesians 4:4-6 “For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, in all, and living through all.”
Local churches aren’t called to be competitors or critics but collaborators to share the gospel. We have the same mission, serve the same God and follow the same Holy Spirit. Instead of building and competing for our own empires, we need to remember, that as believers we are all on the one team! As we pray for revival throughout Ireland, please do pray for your church leaders and your local fellowship, they need your prayers. However, I urge you to pray God-sized prayers for a revival, an awakening so large throughout Ireland that a move of God wouldn’t be limited to one fellowship or denomination. Then there would be a revival so vast and tangible that every seat, of every church and chapel throughout this land, would be filled by those who are hungry for more of Jesus. Then all the churches and denominations would need to work together to minister to those who are seeking Him.
Let’s expand ourselves and pray for all of the churches and chapels in our communities and throughout Ireland that they would flourish and that people within their walls would encounter Christ and be led by the Holy Spirit.
Father, I thank You for the rich heritage throughout Ireland and for diversity in worship styles where people can seek You where they feel most comfortable. Father, I pray for revival to sweep across this land and that no church and no community would be left untouched by a move of Your Spirit. Awaken us, Father, draw us all to You. In Your name, I pray, Amen.