The New Testament has multiple commands to believers that are demonstrative of living at peace with one another. We are repeatedly instructed to love one another (Jn 13:34, to be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love, in honour preferring one another, Rom 12:10). To live in peace and harmony with one another (Rom 15:5; Heb 12:14), to settle our differences among ourselves (2 Cor 13:11), to be patient, kind, and tenderhearted toward one another (1 Cor 13:4), to consider others before ourselves (Phi 2:3), to bear one another’s burdens (Eph 4:2), and to rejoice in the truth (1 Cor 13:6). Conflict is the opposite of peace and Christian behaviour as detailed in Scripture.

When Jesus spoke to His followers His mission was to unite us as one, and to eradicate tensions, divisions and conflict from the body. Perhaps the solution to external conflict in the world is directly related to relations in the church. Father, in Jesus’ name and by the power of the Holy Spirit, break every spirit of disunity and separation that would prevent us from living in unity one with another. Your Word tells us in Psalms 133 “Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.” Father, make it to be so, pour out Your love in the body of Your people that we might live in unity, in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.