A house Divided cannot stand. This statement is completely logical, no house could hope to stay standing if there's a war going on. Think of two siblings, constantly arguing and going against one another. They could be best friends and life would be great, but they each do little things to annoy one another, and it builds up. We've all had this situation, of a sibling, parent, friend or even spouse perhaps, who can annoy us and a fight comes out as a result. However, when we are on the verge of having a 'war' or preparing ourselves to start an argument, what is it that fuels us? It's not love, but far from it, jealousy, anger, frustration, fear. God wants us to act out of love in every area of our lives, especially in these times where our hearts are hardened and we feel divided from our neighbour.

   Today's Gospel states:'But some of them said, "He casts out demons by Be-el'zebul, the prince of demons"; while others, to test him, sought from him a sign from heaven. But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, "Every Kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. And if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I cast out demons by Be-el'zebul. And if I cast out demons by Be-el'zebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they shall be your judges. But if it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are in peace; but when one stronger than he assails him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoil. He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. "When the unclean spirit has gone out of a man, he passes through waterless places seeking rest; and finding none he says, `I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes he finds it swept and put in order. Then he goes and brings seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first"'(Luke 11:15-26).

   Today's Gospel tells us that it's a waste to have a divided kingdom. Anyone who you judge harshly will judge you in turn when it matters. If we fight, if we get in arguments and have hate in our hearts, it is a pointless mission. God wants each of us to work together as one communion to be a part of His Kingdom on earth, and later the greater Kingdom in heaven. Everything we do, say, and feel in our hearts should be out of love. Take some time to think about areas where you are hating, people who cause you to hurt. Ask God to help you be strong and show nothing but love in your relationships and be a true person of faith.

   Today's prayer comes from 'Knowing Jesus' a prayer for grace in difficult relationships:

Heavenly Father, I bring before you this increasingly difficult relationship that I am in and pray that by Your grace, I may be willing to learn the lesson that You would teach me through this problematic time. Lord I know that relationships are not always easy, but we seem to have slid into a constant cycle of hostility and accusations. Forgive me for the part I have played in developing this bitterness and ill-feeling between us and I pray that You would help me repent of this wrong attitude - and turn right away from my own natural, fleshly reactions and start to walk in spirit and truth. Lord I know that I cannot do this in my own strength but only in the power of the Holy Spirit. And so Lord, I pray that I may be willing to listen to Your promptings and to submit to Your training and chastening hand on my life.  Help me each day to lay my life before You and to search my own heart so that I may identify any seeds of my own bitterness and hostility – and I pray that I may be honest in my assessment of my own faults and failings. Teach me Your way and endow me with wisdom, grace and counsel – so that the damage to our relationship may be repaired by Your grace. Help me to live my life as the person that You would have me be – and in a manner that is pleasing in Your sight.  Guard my heart and all that proceeds from my lips and may my words be seasoned with salt and pleasing to the Father. Thank You Lord that You are a God Who hears and answers the prayers of Your children and I pray that you would graciously renew a right spirit, within this relationship - in Jesus name I pray,  Amen