Week of Christian Prayer for Christian Unity

Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman by Sano di Pietro

Christians in many parts of the world began today a Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The theme for the week of prayer in 2015 comes from the gospel of John: "Jesus said to her: 'Give me to drink.'" It was proposed by a group of Brazilian Christians called together by the Conselho Nacional de Igrejas Cristãs (CONIC). 

As in previous years, the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the WCC, through the WCC's Commission on Faith and Order, have jointly published a brochure to help groups and congregations prepare ecumenical celebrations. It also contains Biblical reflections and prayers for the eight days.

The theme for the first day of this week of prayer is: PROCLAMATION - It is necessary to go through Samaria (John 4:4)

 We pray:

God of all peoples,
teach us to go through Samaria
to meet our brothers and sisters from other churches.
Allow us to go there with an open heart
so we may learn from every church and culture.
We confess that you are the source of unity.
Grant us the unity that Christ wills for us.
Amen

Read more: www.oikoumene.org/week-of-prayer

‪
Image: Painting of Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman by Sano di Pietro (Detail from Polittico dell'Assunta, Pinacoteca, Siena)