18--25 January
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

January 18 is the Feast of the Confession of Peter ("Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God" Matthew 16:18). January 25 is the Feast of the Conversion of Paul. Many Christians observe the eight days from January 18 to January 25 inclusive as a time of special prayer that all Christians may be one with their Lord and with one another, joined in faith and love. I invite the members of this list to join in offering such prayers, always but especially during these eight days. Several prayers often used in this connection are printed below. (NOTE: those who cannot hear the word "Catholic" without thinking "Pope" may wish to substitute the word "universal" when joining in these prayers.)

PRAYERS (traditional language)
Blessed Lord Jesus Christ, who saidst unto thine apostles, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you;" regard not our sins, but the faith of thy Church, and grant unto her that peace and unity which is according to thy will, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and ever.

O gracious Father, we humbly beseech thee for thy holy Catholic church; that thou wouldst be pleased to fill it with all truth, in all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it it in error, direct it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, establish it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of him who died and rose again, and ever liveth to make intercession for us, Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord.

O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Saviour, the Prince of Peace; Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions. Take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatsoever else may hinder us from godly union and concord: that as there is but one Body and one Spirit, and one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

PRAYERS (contemporary language)
Blessed Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your apostles, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you;" do not consider our sins, but the faith of your Church, and give her that peace and unity which is according to your will, who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and ever.

Gracious Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it it in error, direct it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of him who died and rose again, and ever lives to make intercession for us, Jesus Christ, thy Son, our Lord.

O God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Saviour, the Prince of Peace; Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions. Take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatsoever else may hinder us from godly union and concord: that as there is but one Body and one Spirit, and one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify you; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Some Christians undertake to pray for different Christian groups on the different days of the Octave. Here is one possible list for that purpose. Please remember that praying that the other group will see the error of its ways and join your group is not the idea.

(18) East Orthodox, Coptic, and other Eastern Churches
(19) Roman Catholic and Uniate Churches
(20) Anglican, Old Catholic, and allied Churches
(21) Lutheran, Moravian, and Methodist Churches
(22) Congregational, Presbyterian, and Reformed Churches
(23) Baptist, Amish, Mennonite, Hutterite, and Christian (Disciples of Christ) Churches
(24) Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches
(25) Other groups, particularly "non-mainstream" ones; theologians and councils seeking to promote Christian Unity while preserving Christian Truth