The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is celebrated around the world each January. The theme and a focus biblical text are prepared by an international Joint Committee of the World Council of Churches and the Pontifical Commission for the Promotion of Christian Unity. National and regional councils of churches work to adapt and add to these resources as appropriate to their local context. The Canadian resources are produced by an ecumenical committee coordinated by the Canadian Council of Churches.
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (18-25 January, 2004)
Theme
“My peace I give to you / Ma paix je vous donne” (John 14:27)
This year’s theme was chosen and service originally developed in Aleppo, Syria.
Scripture References
Full text: John 14: 23-31
Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.
“I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us be on our way.” (New Revised Standard Version)
Scripture texts for the Eight Days’ Biblical Reflections:
Day 1: The love of God, the foundation of peace
Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them. (John 14:23)
Day 2: Inner peace, calm and serenity
We will come to them and make our home with them (John 14:23)
Day 3: Christ, Word of the Father
The word that you hear (John 14:24)
Day 4: Peace, fruit of the Spirit
The Holy Spirit will teach you and remind you of all I have said to you. (John 14:26)
Day 5: Peace and violence: God’s peace and the world’s peace
I do not give to you (my peace) as the world gives it (Jn 14:27)
Day 6: Do not be afraid
Do not your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid (Jn 14:27)
Day 7: Waiting for the glorification of Christ
I am going away and I am coming to you (Jn 14:28)
Day 8: Going forward in the peace of Christ
Rise, let us be on our way (Jn 14:31)
Celebrating the Week of Prayer
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is celebrated from the Sunday before the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul to the following Sunday; in 2004, January 18-25.
In some places, winter weather may make this time of year a difficult one in which to plan large gatherings. Do not hesitate to plan your local celebrations in keeping with the nature of your own community. The Christian calendar provides other occasions to pray together for unity: Pentecost (May 30), Holy Week, World Day of Prayer (March 2), All Saints, and in some churches, World Communion Day (October 6). In 2004, all Christians, both Western and Eastern, will celebrate Easter on the same day, so this will be an excellent occasion to pray for Christian unity.
Themes from Past Years
2003 – We are earthen vessels carrying God’s treasure.
The scriptural text for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (19-26 January, 2003), chosen by the World Council of Churches, was 2 Corinthians 4: 5-18.
2002 – For with you is the Fountain of Life
“All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
You give them drink from the river of your delights,
For with you is the fountain of life.”
Psalm 36 .
2001 – I AM: Way, Truth, Life
Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” – John 14:1-6
