Today, January 18, starts the week of prayer for Christian unity. At that time all Christians are invited to pray together for the unity of all Christians in the world. All Christians are reminded of Jesus’ prayer for his disciples in John 17:21 “They may be one so that the world may believe”.
This week we should pray together and show our communion with others praying all around the world. This will result and show to the world the great unity of Christian Church. This year all Christians around the world are invited to pray especially for the unity of Christians in Caribbean region, which has many human rights abuses and other challenges.
This year biblical text for the week of prayer for Christian unity is taken from the Exodus 15: 1-21, the song of Moses and Miriam. This song can be called as a triumph over oppression.
The main theme for the 2018 year is “Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power” (Exodus 15:6). The right hand of God can be understood as his unfailing protection of this own people and as God’s victory over his opponents. Our God is the God of life and our salvation and liberation come through the power of God.
Bible in Exodus 15 allows us to see how the road to unity must often pass through the experience of suffering. Although liberation is an initiative taken by God. God has his own purpose and plan for the redemption of his people. Christians, through baptism, share in God’s ministry of reconciliation, but our own divisions make a world in need of God’s healing.
Contemporary world challenges threaten the dignity of the human person, who was created in the image and likeness of God. In our societies relationships quite often lack the justice that honor human dignity. We quite often face poverty, injustice, violence that distort human dignity. But in the words of the hymn, “the right hand of God is planting in our land, planting seeds of freedom, hope, and love”.
For each day of the week of prayer for Christian unity, different prayers are proposed. So join the week of prayer for Christian unity and pray for the Christians unity in the world.
Day 1
Eternal God,
You belong to no culture and land but are Lord of all,
you call us to welcome the stranger in our midst.
Help us by your Spirit,
to live as brothers and sisters,
welcoming all in your name,
and living in the justice of your kingdom.
This we pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Day 2
Gracious God,
draw near to those who are victims of human trafficking,
assuring them that you see their plight and hear their cry.
May your Church be united in compassion and courage to work for that day
when no one will be exploited
and all will be free to live lives of dignity and peace.
This we pray in the name of the Triune God
who can do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine.
Amen.
Day 3
By your heavenly grace, O God,
restore us in mind and body,
create in us a clean heart and a pure mind
that we may give glory to your Name.
May the churches attain unity of purpose
for the sanctification of your people,
through Jesus Christ
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Day 4
God of all comfort and hope,
your resurrection defeated the violence of the cross.
As your people,
may we be a visible sign
that the violence of the world will be overcome.
This we pray in the name of our risen Lord. Amen.
Day 5
Loving God,
you lift up the poor and distressed
and restore their dignity.
Hear now our cries for the poor of our world,
restore their hope and lift them up,
that all your people may be one.
This we pray in Jesus name. Amen.
Day 6
Almighty God,
give courage and strength to your church
to continually proclaim justice and righteousness
in situations of domination and oppression.
As we celebrate our unity in Christ,
may your Holy Spirit help us
to look to the needs of others. Amen.
Day 7
Gracious God,
you sent your son to be born in an ordinary family
with ancestors who were both faithful and sinful.
We ask your blessing upon all families
within households and communities.
We pray especially for the unity of the Christian family
so that the world may believe.
In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Day 8
Lord,
we humbly ask that, by your grace,
the churches throughout the world
may become instruments of your peace.
Through their joint action as ambassadors
and agents of your healing, reconciling love
among divided peoples,
may your Name be hallowed and glorified. Amen.
Also read: PRAYER POINTS FOR 2018: Prayer is the door to success in 2018
