Team Player – The Presidential Prayer Team

If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together. – 1 Corinthians 12:26

College Football Hall of Fame coach Brad Wilkinson popularized a description of the spectator sport of American football: “Twenty-two boys on the field badly in need of rest being watched by 40,000 people in the stands badly in need of exercise.” You can probably relate to that, whether a member of the team or a fan in the stadium.

For many across the United States, church has become a spectator sport. Worship teams often become entertainers and preachers strive to keep the attention of the congregation, some of whom are asleep, others checking their watches, and still others reviewing a restaurant menu in their minds considering what to order for brunch as soon as church is over. In his book Jesus Called: He Wants His Church Back, Dr. Ray Johnston said, “The number one need in American Christianity today may be to move Christ-followers from being sympathetic spectators to passion-filled participants.”

Today’s verse is the antidote for that inertia. Everyone becomes a contributor and no one is just a spectator. The goal is the common good of all. When that happens, true unity among believers is palpable, and God is glorified. Do your own personal check-up. Are you a team player or just an observer? God has placed spiritual gifts within you to be used for His specific purposes and to minister to one another. You are an essential part of His work—be involved. Pray for members of Congress who “team-up” together in prayer caucuses and Bible studies.

Today’s Verse: 1 Corinthians 12:26

If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: 1 Peter 3:8-16

⁸Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. ⁹Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. ¹⁰For

“Whoever desires to love life
    and see good days,
let him keep his tongue from evil
    and his lips from speaking deceit;
¹¹let him turn away from evil and do good;
    let him seek peace and pursue it.
¹²For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
    and his ears are open to their prayer.
But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

¹³Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? ¹⁴But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, ¹⁵but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.