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Intention

To see the Church’s unified devotion to share the gospel, love one another and pray increase, recognising that God will bless this unity.

Scripture

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.”

– Psalm 133

Reflection

I love the picture of the early Church described in Acts 2:42–47, where we read:

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

“Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need.

“Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

There are two things that stand out to me. Firstly, the clarity Luke gives us around what unity in Christ actually looks like. And secondly, the incredible blessing that is poured out on the Church on account of this unity.

The first thing we learn is that unity in Christ is not uniformity of expression. Their unity was not in their style. Rather, it was in their shared devotion. A devotion to growing in the truth of the gospel, to loving one another, and to prayer.

We would do well to rediscover this same shared devotion. The Apostles spent their days exhorting the people from the Hebrew Bible that, in fulfillment of prophecy, Jesus was the Christ, and that anyone who wanted the power to walk in resurrection life must find it in him.

The Apostles also encouraged people in the “breaking of bread” (Acts 2:42), the sacrament of a renewed Passover feast. No longer did anyone need to wait for an annual festival, but instead they were to declare daily that Jesus was the one the festival pointed to. Jesus was the true and eternal Passover lamb.

Along with this, the people spent time together. They got to know one another, they chose to love one another, and they knew that the only way such a rag tag bunch of misfits could possibly have any impact on the world would be for God to move mightily among them. So, they prayed.

And look what came from it! Signs and wonders, supernatural generosity and selflessness, glad and sincere hearts, praise offered to God, favour with their community, and daily salvations. Wow! This is exactly the kind blessing the psalmist is talking about in Psalm 133.

I don’t know about you, but I so long to see this in our day. I want nothing more than to live in the blessing of God. I want to see daily salvations in our community. I want to see glad and sincere hearts rising up. I want to see supernatural generosity and affection welling up in my own life. I want to see signs and wonders bringing praise and glory to God. I want to see God’s kingdom breaking into our world. I want to walk in unity with my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Lord, let it be so.

Video

Prayer

Holy Father, we ask that you forgive us for our pride and help us to walk in unity. Help us dear Lord to pick up our cross and follow you.

May we, by the power of your Spirit, let go of our preferences for the sake of your purposes. Unify us, that we might be the spotless bride you desire. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Author Bio

David Shepherd is the Senior Pastor of Hills Baptist Church. With a heart for boldly proclaiming the truth of the gospel, Dave is passionate about raising up the next generation of leaders and planting churches that plant churches. He also has a strong desire to see the global Church united in returning to a life of true worship and prayer.

Dave is married to his wife Jo, and together they have three children: Bailey, Mabel, and Benji.

Prayer Points for October 2025

1. God to pour out his blessing and Spirit on every church in Australia and its leaders. Hebrews 13:7
2. All churches in Australia to grow in Christlikeness and win people to Christ. Acts 6:7
3. Widespread adoption of Reaching Australia 2033 and its plan to activate every believer in personal evangelism. Acts 1:8
4. Revival for Australia and for millions to come to Christ. Isaiah 64:1–2

We invite you to support this prayer campaign to multiply prayer in Australia for revival and see millions come to faith in Christ. Every donation to the Canberra Declaration helps us promote prayer and make a stand for family, faith, freedom, life, and the good news of God’s love through Jesus Christ.

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