Daily Devotions for Tuesday, January 20, 2026: Held Together: The Active Bond of Peace

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The Daily Devotional

Tuesday, January 20, 2026

Held Together: The Active Bond of Peace

“Make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” — Ephesians 4:3

Introduction

Welcome to the third day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Today, our focus shifts to the essential "glue" that holds the body of Christ together: the bond of peace. In his letter to the Ephesians, St. Paul does not describe peace merely as the absence of conflict or a quiet feeling in the heart. Instead, he presents it as a vital, structural necessity. Just as ligaments hold bones together to form a functioning body, the "bond of peace" is the active force that connects diverse believers, allowing us to function as one. It is a gift from Christ, the Prince of Peace, yet it requires our active participation to maintain.

Reflection

When we think of "bonds" or things that hold heavy weights together, we might look at the marvel of a great suspension bridge.

Consider the Golden Gate Bridge or the Brooklyn Bridge. These massive structures are designed to span wide, often turbulent waters. They are made of thousands of different parts—steel beams, concrete anchors, and rivets—all of which are rigid and distinct. If you simply piled these materials up, they would collapse under their own weight. What makes the bridge stand is the tension held by the main cables. These cables act as a flexible but unbreakable bond. They allow the bridge to shift slightly in the wind and bear the heavy load of traffic without snapping. The cables absorb the tension so the structure remains united.

The Church is much like that bridge. We are a collection of diverse members with different backgrounds, opinions, and distinct personalities. Naturally, there is "weight" and "tension" in our relationships; we rub against one another, and disagreements arise. If left to our own devices, our differences might cause us to collapse.

However, the Holy Spirit provides the main cable: the bond of peace. As Paul teaches, and as we see in the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), this peace is active. It isn't a passive silence; it is a muscular, spiritual strength that bears the load of our differences. When we exercise this bond, we interact harmoniously and forgive more readily. We allow the "winds" of disagreement to blow without breaking the fellowship. We realize that true unity isn't about being identical steel beams; it is about being held together by the same unbreakable peace of Christ.

Application

Today, consider St. Paul’s teaching that peace is a fruit of the Spirit—something that must be cultivated. Identify one relationship in your life or community where there is "tension"—perhaps a misunderstanding, a grudge, or a difference of opinion.

Instead of pulling away or digging in your heels, apply the "bond of peace." This might mean offering a word of forgiveness, choosing to listen rather than speak, or simply praying for someone you find difficult. Make a conscious effort to let the peace of Christ bear the weight of that interaction today.

Conclusion

Unity is not accidental; it is maintained through the intentional commitment to peace. As we move through this week of prayer, remember that peace is the active force that sustains us. By relying on the Spirit, we can bridge our divides and stand strong together, offering a witness of reconciliation to a divided world.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Prince of Peace. Strengthen the bond of peace among us and in our troubled world. Change the hearts of all who make war; touch the wounds of all who are afflicted by war. We pray especially for the people of Armenia and Artsakh, and their kindred throughout the world. Let the light of your love shine in all the dark places of our world and hasten the day when all peoples may dwell in peace with justice. Amen.

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Devotional by: Kenny Sallee, ThM — Deming, NM, USA

The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible, copyright © 1989, 1993, the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.