Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-16 (GNT)
I urge you, then live a life that measures up to the standard God set when he called you. Be always humble, gentle, and patient. Show your love by being tolerant with one another. Do your best to preserve the unity which the Spirit gives by means of the peace that binds you together. There is one body and one Spirit, just as there is one hope to which God has called you. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism; there is one God and Father of all people, who is Lord of all, works through all, and is in all.
Each one of us has received a special gift in proportion to what Christ has given. 
It was he who “gave gifts to people”; he appointed some to be apostles, others to be prophets, others to be evangelists, others to be pastors and teachers. He did this to prepare all God’s people for the work of Christian service, in order to build up the body of Christ. 
And so we shall all come together to that oneness in our faith and in our knowledge of the Son of God; we shall become mature people, reaching to the very height of Christ’s full stature. Then we shall no longer be children, carried by the waves and blown about by every shifting wind of the teaching of deceitful people, who lead others into error by the tricks they invent. 
Instead, by speaking the truth in a spirit of love, we must grow up in every way to Christ, who is the head. Under God’s control, all the different parts of the body fit together, and the whole body is held together by every joint with which it is provided. So when each separate part works as it should, the whole body grows and builds itself up through love.

Prayer of Intercession
Jesus, we pray that we act in the Unity to which you call us.

We pray for our church as we gather each week,
that in our local community, we recognise the needs and respond with action.
Share some of the local missional areas

We pray for our denomination as we gather in unity, expressing faith in our unique way that continues the flourishing of whole ecumenical community. We recognise the breadth and depth ecumenism bring to our understanding of your whole body.
Name denominational faith communities around you, and those with whom you share mission and ministry.

We pray for our nation, that we continue to be able to share faith, gather to worship and pray together, and work ecumenically, reflecting Jesus’ call to Unity.
Recall countries where faith and religious belief is not able to be freely expressed or has become a political tool.

We pray for the country’s leaders, that they be tolerant, work to build up the whole community, understand the unique gifts the vulnerable and isolated bring.
We pray that as a wider community, we continue to act against injustice, to speak out against violence and lack of tolerance, to be hospitable to the lost and welcoming to world.
Jesus, we pray that we act in the Unity to which you call us.

Commissioning and Benediction
God calls us to be One Body.
In Jesus, we receive unique gifts.
Through the Spirit, we are connected in love.
This is the time to recognise your ministry.
This is the time to share in Christ’s mission.
Go then and serve with tolerance, love, humility and grace.
Let your faith flourish and be shared with all whom you meet.
In the name of the Creator, the Sustainer and the Spirit of Love.

© Rev Anne Hewitt 28/07/2021
this reflection & prayer may be shared as long as the original writer is credited.