Lord God,

whose son was content to die

to bring new life,

have mercy on your church

which will do anything you ask,

anything at all:

except die

and be reborn.

Lord Christ,

forbid us unity

which leaves us where we are

and as we are:

welded into one company

but extracted from the battle;

engaged to be yours

but not found at your side.

Holy Spirit of God –

reach deeper than our inertia and fears:

release us into the freedom of the children of God.

Margaret and Ian Fraser, Scottish Churches House, 1960’s

______________________

I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.  My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you.  What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”