A Prayer To Come Out Of Social Isolation With A Heart To Be Co-operative With Others

 Whatever else this season of the pandemic has been for us, it’s been a time of isolation.  While we may have wished for more human interaction in lots of ways, we’ve also had our character shaped by the fact that we’ve gotten used to doing things in our own way, in whatever way we could.  There’s no doubt that as things open up and we get to spend time with others that we’ll have some changes to make if we are to live in cooperation and agreement  with people who have ideas and ways of doing things that are different from our way.  Part of healthy living is actually developing this character quality of co-operation. 

Live in harmony with each other.  Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people.  And don’t think you know it all!  Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.  Romans 12:16, Ephesians 4:3

When we co-operate, we work together towards a common goal.  It doesn't mean we all do or say the same thing.  We each have our distinctive personality and role to play but we take time to listen to one another, to support each other, and together find a way to make things better for everyone concerned. 

Co-operation requires that we learn from others by listening carefully to what they are saying and sometimes even  letting go of our usual way of thinking and behaving to try something new.  At other times it will be important for us to stop hiding in silence and ask a valid question or voice our opinion about a matter in a way that brings some fresh insight.  We each have our experience and our talents and we are so much better together when we share those and allow our lives to be shaped by those new and fresh things.

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Philippians 2:1-4

Developing a habit of co-operatively dealing with others will require us to grow and get past easily hurt feelings and approval seeking.  It may also require laying down a bullying attitude or offensive words.  As we learn new ways of interacting with others, God will strengthen and encourage us and bring us to that place of peace which surpasses all understanding. 

Loving God, you made us to live in co-operation with one another. Thank You for the gift of each other and the way You have sorted out and distributed gifts and talents to all of us.  We know Your plan is that we would work with and learn from one another.

We acknowledge that even though we’d rather not have been shut up in our own little worlds for so many months during this pandemic that one of the difficulties we will now have to overcome is doing things in our own way and in our own time. We neither want to live in harshness of needing to bully our opinions and ways through in situations nor do we want to step back instead of standing for what is right and good.

(print only) Live in harmony with each other.  Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people.  And don’t think you know it all!  Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.  Romans 12:16, Ephesians 4:3

We want to live in harmony with others – those who are like us and those who are quite different in many ways.  Help us to enjoy and learn from ordinary people who have so much to teach us. 

It’s so easy to see differences as something negative but Holy Spirit, You live in us to show us how differences can actually enhance and support what You want to do with our lives.  Give us discernment, for sure, to stand always for truth and not compromise to just get along, but at the same time, give us grace and courage to come alongside others and find the new and fresh expression of Your goodness that You want us to be sharing with the world today.

Show us the ways we’re have been hard to get along with and give us grace to live and work  in co-operative and healthy relationships with others. Holy Spirit, please teach and guide us in all our ways today.  Amen