This week is Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Events across the globe have been organized around the theme "My peace I give to you" (John 14:27). The week is organized by the World Council of Churches and the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity.
The Week of Prayer has its origins in the 19th century, and was popularized by the Catholic father Paul Couturier of Lyon in the 1930s. For Couturier, the Week was a time to focus on the unity of Christians, as well as on the unity of mankind. "We must pray not that others may be converted to us, but that we may all be drawn closer to Christ... The spiritual horizon of the Week of Prayer for the Unity of Christians is not merely Christianity, it is the redemption of humankind," he wrote.
One of the prayers used in observing the week was written by Bishop Munib A. Younan. It is based on a Palestinian litany. We spend so much time talking about what divides us that we often forget all that unites us (I’m as guilty as this as anyone else) I’ve posted Bishop’s Younan’s prayer below. You can find it along with other prayers for Christian Unity by clicking here.
Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, and
for all people according to their needs.
Merciful God, in the birth of your Son Jesus Christ in Bethlehem you became one of us; you shared our joy, suffering and pain. We thank you for taking refuge in Egypt and for identifying yourself with refugees and victims of political power. We thank you for your suffering on the cross and for identifying yourself with those who suffer from injustice and live under occupation.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
Eternal God, you know the troubles and pains of the people of Israel-Palestine: We pray for the victims of injustice and violence but also for those who have caused suffering. We pray for those who cannot enter their places of work. We pray for young people who are losing their hope for the future and for mothers who are tired of bloodshed and killing. We pray for the bereaved families, who have lost their beloved ones.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
We pray for the recovery of the injured. We pray for those who have to live with permanent disability. We pray for politicians; grant them wisdom and courage to search for reconciliation and peace.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
We are all created in your image. Grant us courage to recognize every person's human, religious, civil and political rights. Help us to build a culture of peace, justice and reconciliation. Free us from all hatred and bitterness.
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
Our Lord Jesus Christ said to his disciples, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you." (Jn 14:27) Give peace to your church, peace among nations, peace in our homes, and peace in our hearts. Merciful God, accept our prayers and yearnings. You are our only strength, refuge and hope. In the name of Jesus – our liberator and redeemer.
Amen.
© Bishop Munib A. Younan, ELCJ, Palestine
