The Gift of Unity

Luna Alsafadi Kishek, Amman, Jordan

     If there is one firm and steadfast principle in our lives, one thing that never changes, I believe that what distinguishes us as true Christians is that we have been called to unity despite evil, pain, and the many worldly influences that could scatter us. Despite our differences, God has given us a great gift with a powerful impact and heavenly results -- the gift of unity, rooted in the gospel we share. The eternal and the most important question remains: How do we get united?

     One of the most powerful weapons through which we can achieve unity is prayer. Jesus Himself used this weapon and taught us to use it, as seen in John 17:20-23 (NIV).

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, ²¹ that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²² I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— ²³ I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

      He prayed for us to be united in Him so that we could complete one another and become more like Him. How wonderful is our God! He was an example for us in leading the way. He prayed that we would be united in our relationship with Him and showed us His unity with the Father. He also prayed for us to be united in our relationships with one another. What a magnificent order! I learned that when our hearts are united with Him, we are ready to unite in our relationships with others through patience and encouragement, with one heart, as in Romans 15:5-7. 

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had,  so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

     He prayed for harmony in relationships by maintaining unity and peace. Through this, if we want to become a new creation, we can achieve it as disciples through our unity with Him and others, distinguishing us from this world.
     Praying for unity is the only weapon that enables me to set aside my differences and needs and look toward Jesus Christ.
     The most wonderful result of unity is peace, as stated in Ephesians 2:14 – “For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility” -- where we become one and destroy anything that could be a barrier between us and the God of glory.

    I thank my God, for His greatest gift: the steadfast, unshakable, and powerful unity through which we can face all evil and anything resembling it. May He plant in us the desire to pray for unity so that we can be united with Him and with one another, breaking down any barriers that may separate us from Him.

Luna Alsafadi Kishek is 36 years old. She has been a disciple since 2003. She was appointed a women’s ministry leader in 2024 and oversees the women’s ministry in Jordan.  She and her husband Shadi have two children and are part of the leadership council for Middle East churches. Luna is
studying to be a certified mental health coach and plans to use the knowledge she gains to strengthen her ministry and understanding of discipleship. 
“I am a proud disciple of Jesus, full of gratitude and zeal to continue to serve in the church,” she says.