“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body — whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free — and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.” (1 Corinthians 12:12-14)

Here, Paul uses the analogy of the human body to describe how the church should work. Christ is the head, and his body is made up of many different parts – i.e. people – using their unique gifts.
Christians become members of this body by baptism in the Holy Spirit, which happens when we first believe in God.
Each member of Christ’s body is important. Like a body, our churches won’t function if all parts are the same. No matter who we are, we are all important to God’s family.

Dear God,
Thank you that I’m a part of your body. Thank you that you baptised me in the Holy Spirit when I became a believer. Your Spirit sustains me, like a fortifying drink.
Thank you that you place each member of your body just where you want us. Help me to be obedient to the call you’ve placed on my life. I pray against the lies of Satan that say I am not useful or valued in your church and your kingdom. You have made me with a purpose unique to me, and called me to serve others in your family. I am needed and important.
Help me to rejoice with, and suffer with, the other members of your body. Help me not to neglect the needs of our family. May there be no division – only love and grace in our community.
May I keep drinking from your Spirit – finding everything I need to live the life you’ve called me to live.
In your service.

This is the first in a series of ‘verses and prayers’ I’ll be posting over the next seven days. Enjoy.