Grant it the peace and unity of your kingdom

Today marks the beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (18 to 25 January); although many Churches will do as we do at Godmanchester, and make it Sunday to Sunday (from yesterday).

This year’s theme, “You are witnesses to these things” (based on Luke 24), was chosen by the Scottish Churches — who are also involved in celebrations for the centenary of the 1910 conference on the theme, “Witnessing to Christ today”.

During the past century reconciliation between Christians has taken on very different forms. Spiritual ecumenism has shown how important prayer is for Christian unity. Great energy has been put into theological research which has led to a large number of doctrinal accords. Practical cooperation between churches in the social field has given birth to fruitful initiatives. Alongside these major accomplishments, the question of mission has had a particular place. It is even generally held that the 1910 World Mission Conference in Edinburgh marked the beginnings of the modern ecumenical movement.

From the World Council of Churches Introduction to the theme for the year 2010

More information and resources can be found on the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland website, and the World Council of Churches website.

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In working towards Christian Unity, we need to remember that unity doesn’t necessarily mean uniformity. Diversity doesn’t have to mean division. We’re different: let’s celebrate that. Different doesn’t mean wrong; it means different.

Joining in prayer for unity we join in the prayer of Christ, affirming his incarnation. Unity in diversity can express the diversity of the Trinity and explore the greatness of God.

Christian unity should be about coming together with our brothers and sisters; exploring our differences without feeling threatened by them. Then we’ll likely find that there are many more things that we have in common, than there are which divide us. This way, I believe, we can be truly united, or reunited, with our brothers and sisters from around the world.

Lord Jesus Christ,
who said to your apostles,
‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you’:
look not on our sins but on the faith of your Church
and grant it the peace and unity of your kingdom;
where you are alive and reign with the Father
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

A Collect for Christian Unity,
from Common Worship: Times and Seasons
is Copyright © The Archbishops Council