People know that I like to visit churches and this week I was asked how it feels to encounter a new group of strangers.

They are not strangers. They are my family who have not met me. My bond with them is stronger than flesh and blood.

"While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother." (Mat 12:46-50)

We are all united into one Body. It is not just apostates who fall away by not discerning that the Lord's Body is one (1Co 11:29). Even Peter and the Corinthians fell into this carnality (1Co 3:3).

"But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation." (Gal 2:11-13)

This is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Week_of_Prayer_for_Christian_Unity

I pray that it is answered in our hearts. I earnestly beg that you consider the one new man (Eph 2:15) in your prayers.