The Church

 The human body consists of many different components but it is one unit. There are many hidden internal organs and a multiplicity of visible external members.
 Each has its own unique function, and yet every single body-part needs to interact with every other member, and work together synergistically in order to maintain a strong, healthy, functioning body.
 When one member does not work correctly, or is impaired, paralyses, in pain, or disconnected, it has a significant effect on the rest of the body. This interrelationship of every aspect of the human body is used to illustrate the beautiful way that each member of the body of Christ is important to the whole, and should function and interact with all other members.
 Although we are all individual people and have diverse backgrounds, different experiences, varying gifts, unique abilities, and individual characteristics, we are all ONE in Christ. Although we are individual members, we are mutually dependent. As members of Christ's Body we are to work together in holy love and Christian harmony. Christ is to be made manifest to a broken and hurting world through the Body of Christ, which is The Church. Individually and collectively we are His witnesses.
Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.

Our United Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You that we are part of the Body of Christ and for the gifts and graces that You have given to us. We pray that we may live our lives according to Your plans and purposes. Use us to compliment the work carried out by our brothers and sisters in Christ, and we pray that we may be testimonies of the goodness and grace of Jesus Christ our Lord, to a lost and dying world. Unite the whole Body of Christ, with a dependent mutuality, so that as individuals we may be truly united as one Body, to serve You in the places where You have planted us. This we ask in Jesus' name, AMEN.