Poor Euodia and Syntyche--that infamous pair. Imagine their embarrassment had they known that they would be sermon fodder for years after their bickering bones were buried. That knowledge alone may have had them quickly requesting each other as “friends”. Whatever the rift, it was enough for Paul to name them in Philippians 4, to plead with them to get along, and to request help from others in fixing the fissure.

It is comforting—in a sad way—to see that women in the early church struggled as do we. Is there a Syntyche that is hindering us in our work for the Lord? Is there a Euodia that sets our teeth on edge? We may never be best buds, but we can pray for them (hey-- that means that someone is going to be praying for us, too!) Who wouldn’t appreciate some extra prayer right now, even from your Euodia?