- 1 Samuel 1:13-17
- Matthew 15:21-28
Source: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Resources, Churches in Britain and Ireland
Week of Prayer – Day 7
Week of Prayer – Day 6
Reflection
Proclaim the good news to all of creation, not just to my small part.
Oh God, who made the world, both body and gift. Your creation groans.
What have we done?
Land and sea polluted, death and destruction, communities gone,families displaced. While we sit in comfort. Your creation groans.
What have we done?
A damaged world, a broken system. Upheld by stupidity, destruction, neglect and greed. An abuse of God’s gift, while we disconnect.
Where is God’s voice, God’s rolling waves of justice?
We too are God’s body, thinking beyond ourselves, seeing consequences, listening for the still small voice, swimming against the tide.
Asking what shall I do?
Source: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Resources, Churches in Britain and Ireland
Week of Prayer – Day 5
Amos 8:4-8 Luke 4:16-21
Prayer
God, the bringer of good news, forgive our lust for power and free us from the temptation to oppress others. Instil in us the determination to see your good news made real in us and those around us, as we share in the mission of your Son Jesus to fulfil your promise of freedom from poverty and oppression. We pray in his name. Amen
Week of Prayer – Day 4
Hebrews 13:1-5 Matthew 6:25-34
God’s goodness has provided ample food and fresh water to sustain life for all and yet many people lack these necessities. Human greed frequently leads to corruption, injustice, poverty and hunger. Jesus teaches us not to be concerned about accumulating more material things than we need. We should, rather, be concerned with proclaiming the Kingdom of equity and announcing God’s reign of justice. Christians are called to live lives which enable the waters of justice to flow.
Source: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Resources, Churches in Britain and Ireland
Week of Prayer – Day 3
The Lord is gracious and merciful to all (Psalm 145:8)
- Psalm 145:8-13
- Matthew 1:1-17
Prayer
God of all humanity your Son was born into a line of men and women, ordinary and extraordinary. Some of them were remembered for their great deeds, others more for their sins. Give us an open heart to share your unbounded love, and to embrace all who experience discrimination. Help us to grow in love beyond prejudice and injustice. Grant us the grace to respect the uniqueness of each person, so that in our diversity we may experience unity. This prayer we make in your holy name. Amen
Source: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Resources, Churches in Britain and Ireland
Week of Prayer – Day 2
Ephesians 4:22-25, Matthew 5:33-37
The letter to the Ephesians presents a call for Christians to be honest and accountable to each other, so that we may grow in community. There is no place for deceitfulness, for it serves only to impair our relationships and so destroy that community. We are called to live an authentic life of faith and stand up for the truth. Our ‘yes’ must mean ‘yes’ and our ‘no’ must mean ‘no’ – with no equivocal language or dishonest behaviour. Dishonesty disrupts the unity of the Church fror which we are called to pray and work.
Week of Prayer – Day 1
Material for this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity originates from the churches of Indonesia, where there is a strong emphasis upon the need for unity alongside the nation’s ethnic and religious diversity. The resources also highlight issues of economic injustice and how religious pluralism can face challenges in the face of radicalisation. The theme is based around Deuteronomy 16:18-20, ‘Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue…’
| DAY 1 Amos 5:22-25 Luke 11:37-44 |
Christians in Indonesia recognize that in their land there are people who passionately try to practise their faith, but who oppress those of other beliefs. In the prophecy of Amos, God rejects the worship of those who neglect justice. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus reminds us that the outward sign of true worship of God is acting justly. Christians can sometimes be very committed to prayer and worship, but less concerned for the poor and the marginalized. When, as Christians, we work together on justice issues we grow closer to one another and to God.
Source: Churches Together in Britain and Ireland Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Resources. Each day there are scripture passages, a short reflection, a prayer, questions for discussion and suggestions for further action (“go and do”).
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2019
We will be joining Churches Together Sandhurst on Sunday January 20th 6:30pm at St George’s Owlsmoor to celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity that happens between 18th and 25th January each year.
In addition, there are a number of opportunities to prayer together during the week, open to all:
Thursday 17th 12-12:30 p.m. Post Coffee Shop Prayer for Christian Unity (NB arrive by 11:45 if you want coffee first!) at Crowthorne Baptist Church
Monday 21st at 10.30 a.m. welcome tea/coffee followed by a meditation group at 11.00 a.m. at Holy Ghost RC Church
Tuesday 22nd at 10.00 a.m. Worship at Crowthorne Methodist Church followed by CTC coffee morning.
Tuesday 22nd 12-1.00 p.m. informal time for prayer at Crowthorne Methodist Church, Rev Sharon will be available during this time
Friday 25th at 6.00 p.m. Prayer for the sick at St John’s Church
If anyone would like to meet up and pray with someone from your own or another church, please contact the secretary, Carla Lee McLachlan (carla.mclachlan@gmail.com) who will co-ordinate prayer partners.
Each day we will be posting from the excellent material produced by the Churches in Indonesia. You can find these resources at: https://ctbi.org.uk/week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity-reso….