At the outset of every shemona esrei of the yomim noraim, at a moment when we would want to focus on our dreams and our worries, our minds are quickly directed to pray for a time when Hashem's presence will dominate the plans and proceedings of all people. It is then that we ask that Hashem instill awe throughout His creation, establishing a time that will fully realize the phrase: "v'yeiasu kulam agudah echos la'asos retsoncha b'levav shaleim - that [all people] will become bound as one to do Your will with complete hearts".
I have often wondered why our sages chose to conjoin two seemingly disparate prayers into one sentence. Why did they not continue the style of the forgoing sentences, and in one brief phrase ask for a peaceful time when we will all live comfortably together, and subsequently in a separate sentence beg for the purity and sincerity of "complete hearts"? Further, why did Chazal phrase this one request differently than the rest, putting it in the passive form, "that we become bound" rather than scripting for us a request for the strength and tolerance that it takes to proactively bind ourselves together?
Perhaps these two passions, to serve Hashem genuinely and to extend and enjoy loving and respectful relationships, stem from the same environment and culture. It may be that the roads to both begin at the same point and end at each other's doorstep. No doubt both will demand ridding oneself of the pettiness that so often overtakes our minds and decisions.
The naturalness and thrill of competition certainly shape within us a predisposition which is unfriendly to according respect and appreciation to the strengths of others. Yet investing in acquiring a positive and open frame of mind is truly an "avodah" - requiring dedicated and persistent applications to greater nobility. If we are really going to earn our membership in an agudah echos - a unified group of Kelal Yisrael - it will no doubt require great introspection and soulful thinking; being on guard against harboring ill feelings towards other individuals and other groups, challenging ourselves to prioritize, and focus on that which is genuinely precious.
In sum, aspiring to live in true harmony requires putting much ahead of private concerns and as a result nurtures a purity of heart and deed in the direct service of Hashem as well. Chazal further intimate that once we have achieved comfort and closeness with our peers, we will feel as if we have "become bound" - as if it happened naturally and was always meant to be.
Of course it is important to keep in mind that our most powerful prayers may be our actions moving ourselves in the direction of our wishes.
May we all be blessed to come into the Yamim Noraim with the potent prayers of improved relations with family and friends and may we all be blessed with peace, health, spiritual growth prosperity and happiness.