Week Of Prayer For Christian Unity

Please pray for Christian unity each day this week (18-25 January), the centenary observance of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The National Council of Churches suggests so. The Vatican suggests so.

No really, please pray! Christians believe that prayer is truly efficacious. It is not just a reminder or mental check for ourselves, so that we can feel humble and consider obedience (cf. Isa. 58:5). We seek to impel God to act quickly for good.

"So I[, Daniel] turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the LORD my God and confessed: O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps his covenant of love with all who love him and obey his commands, we have sinned and done wrong... Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, O Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, O God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. O Lord, listen! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, hear and act! For your sake, O my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name. (Dan. 9:3ff.)"

"[Said Jesus,] Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. (Mat. 6:10)"

"[Said Jesus,] I pray... also for those who will believe in me through [my Disciples'] word, so that they may all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be in us, that the world may believe that you sent me. (John 17:20-21)"