I ran into someone at work the other day, someone who used to attend church with me. He no longer goes to the church because of a disagreement with the way something was done. It’s not the first time I’ve had this conversation. I know a woman who had an accident and missed church a couple of weeks. No one noticed, so she was hurt emotionally as well as physically. Another friend was depressed for months after a church split. God notices.
“Lord, it’s heartbreaking to hear things like this, but I pray that in your infinite grace, you bring healing out of heartache. My prayer is for those people and churches in this situation. For churches, pastors and not, to look out for each other. To remember that it’s not all about us. To take time from a busy day, and make a call to someone we haven’t connected with in a while. I pray that, on the other side, we would not expect so much from each other that we can’t allow grace to our brothers and sisters. Help us to be honest with each other when we are hurt, and pray together about it. That we would do everything possible to reconcile, and when that’s not possible, to remember that we are still family. Please forgive us as we forgive others. Your family is far bigger than one campus or one congregation. Give us peace among ourselves, while we pray for peace on earth.”
So glad for the reminder, thanks!