What if competition wasn’t about winning—but about striving together?
During the winter Olympics, we saw countries all around the world coming together to compete in various events. On the surface, these contests seem to have winners taking home medals, and others going home empty-handed. But the original meaning of compete comes from the Latin competere, meaning “to strive together” or “seek together.” This points to a deeper view of competition—the idea that we are all working together, united by a common pursuit.
However, the world today often paints a different picture. Instead of striving together, it seems we are more and more pulled apart by our differences.
This raises some important questions: Is there a spiritual way toward unity in the face of division? And can prayer for unity help us feel more connected, even in divided times?
What Does the Bible Show Us About Unity?
The Bible offers many powerful glimpses of unity. In Psalms, we read:
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Psalms 133:1
This points to our true spiritual connection as children of the one Father-Mother God.
Later in The Bible, the story of the Pentecost offers an inspiring example of diverse groups coming together “with one accord, in one place.” (Acts 2:1) Despite different backgrounds and languages, these groups were able to understand each other clearly and work together peacefully.
Can Prayer for Unity Really Make an Impact?
Through prayer, we can glimpse our connection with God and feel the peace of His universal love — a love that unites us all. We begin to see that Love is a divine presence that can be seen and felt in any circumstance and any place.
As Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures explains:
With one Father, even God, the whole family of man would be brethren; and with one Mind and that God, or good, the brotherhood of man would consist of Love and Truth, and have unity of Principle and spiritual power which constitute divine Science.
Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Mary Baker Eddy, pp. 469:30–5
Do Differences Divide Us?
What if it seems that our perspectives differ too greatly? Can we really expect to “strive together?” From a strictly humanistic view, these barriers can seem insurmountable at times.
But looking deeper, we often find our desires are more alike than different. We all long for love, peace, purpose, and joy. Recognizing this shared foundation can help us support one another, even when our paths look different.
A Healing Shift In Competition: A Testimony from SoCal
I experienced an example of unity and peace as a cross country runner in high school. At the biggest meet of the year, the California State Semi-Finals, I was praying to feel a sense of peace before getting to the starting line.
I got the message, a divine nudge, to look at the list of names of the women I would be competing with. As I looked over the list, I felt an overwhelming sense of Love. I felt Love encircling me and all the women who were competing that day. I saw that they were not people to beat in the race, but that we were each helping each other to be our best, to run with excellence on the course.
I felt so free as I stepped up to the starting line, not weighed down by intense feelings of rivalry, but lifted up by a pure and wonderful sense of divine Love.
I started the race with patience, running up the first set of hills with assurance and trust that God, Love, was with me every step of the way. I held a strong pace through the end and finished in second place!
I think the importance of place is that, no matter where we rank, we have an opportunity to help those around us. If we are first, we are leading the charge, and if we are last, we can push from behind and keep the race close. We each have an opportunity to do our best and help others do the same.
Looking back on this experience, I realize it was teaching me the true meaning of unity — not competing against one another, but striving together under God’s guidance. I also learned that unity isn’t something we have to force, it naturally unfolds as we turn to God in prayer.
Seeing Others Through the Lens of Unity
Prayer for unity helps us look beyond surface differences and recognize the deeper spiritual qualities we all share. Instead of competing against one another, we can begin striving together, recognizing that we are all moving forward under the same divine purpose.
Through prayer for unity, we begin to see that we are not separate, but connected — expressing the same source of love, strength, and harmony. Even in a divided world, this spiritual perspective brings a deeper sense of peace and purpose.
Resources
- Join our World Cup Prayer Watch where we pray for unity and peace among World Cup athletes, international visitors, and SoCal host communities, and share inspiration.
