THE WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
and throughout the year 2008

Theme: Pray without ceasing (1 Thess 5:17)

The Octave (eight days) of Prayer for Christian Unity (January 20 to 27, 2008)
Readings (without commentaries) & Prayers
Click here for the version with daily commentary

Day 1: Pray always. "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thess 5: 17)
January 20

 Is 55:6-9:                          Seek the Lord while he may be found
 Ps 34:                               I sought the Lord, and he answered me
 1 Thess 5: (12a) 13b-18:  Pray without ceasing
 Lk 18:1-8:                        To pray always and not to lose heart

 Prayer
 Lord of unity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we pray without ceasing that we may be one, as you are one. Father, hear us as we seek you. Christ, draw us to the unity which is your will for us. Spirit, may we never lose heart. Amen.


Day 2: Pray always, trusting God alone. "Give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thess 5: 18)
January 21

 1 Kings 18:20-40:          The Lord indeed is God
 Ps 23:                            The Lord is my shepherd
 1 Thess 5: (12a)13b-18: Give thanks in all circumstances
 Jn 11:17-44:                   Father, I thank you for having heard me

 Prayer
 God of all creation, hear your children as we pray. Help us keep our faith and trust in you. Teach us to give thanks in all circumstances, relying on your mercy. Give us truth and wisdom, that your church may arise to new life in one fellowship. You alone are our hope. Amen.


Day 3. Pray without ceasing for the conversion of hearts. "Admonish the idlers, encourage the faint-hearted" (1Thess 5 : 14)
January 22

 Jon 3: 1-10                    The repentance of Nineveh
 Ps 51: 8-15                    Create a pure heart in me
 1 Thess 5: (12a)13b-18: Encourage the faint-hearted
 Mk 11: 15-17                A house of prayer

 Prayer
 Lord you desire truth deep-down within us: in the secret of our hearts, you teach us wisdom. Teach  us to encourage each other along the road to unity. Show us the conversion necessary for reconciliation. Give to each of us a new, truly ecumenical heart, we pray you. Amen.


Day 4. Pray always for justice. "See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to all (1 Thess 5: 15)
January 23
 
 Ex 3: 1-12                       God hears the cry of the Israelites
 Ps 146                            The Lord…secures justice for the oppressed
 1 Thess 5: (12a) 13b-18: See that none of you repays evil for evil
 Mt 5: 38-42                    Offer no resistance to one who is evil
 
Prayer
Lord God, you created humanity, male and female, in the divine image. May we pray without ceasing and with one mind and heart that those who are hungry in our world will be nourished, that those who are oppressed will be freed, that all human persons will be treated with dignity; and may we be your instruments in making this yearning a reality. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Day 5. Pray constantly with a patient heart. "Be patient with all of them" (Thess 5: 14)
January 24
 
 Ex 17: 1-4                        Why?
 PS 1                                 Yield fruit in its season
 1 Thess 5: (12a) 13b-18    Be patient with all of them
 Lk 18: 9-14                      A humble prayer

 Prayer

 Lord, make us your disciples, attentive to your Word, day and night. On our journey towards unity, give us hope for fruit in due season. When prejudices and suspicion seem to dominate, we pray you, give us the humble patience necessary for reconciliation. Amen.


Day 6.  Pray always for grace to work with God. "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing" (1 Thess 5: 16)
January 25. The Conversion of St. Paul
 
2 Sam 7: 18-29               David’s prayer of praise and rejoicing
Ps 86                              Incline your ear, O Lord
1 Thess 5:(12a) 13b-18  Rejoice always
Lk 10: 1-24                    The sending of the seventy-two
 
 Prayer

 Lord God, in the perfect unity of your being, keep our hearts so burning with the desire and hope for unity that we will never stop working for the sake of your gospel. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.


Day 7. Pray for what we need. "… help the weak" (1 Thess 5: 14)
January 26

 1 Sam 1: 9-20                 Hannah prays for a son                
 Ps 86                              Listen to my cry of supplication
 1 Thess 5: (12a)13b-18: We urge you…to help the weak
 Lk 11: 5-13                    Ask and it will be given you
 
 Prayer

 Help us, Lord, to be truly one in praying for the healing of our world, for the mending of divisions in our churches, and of ourselves. May we not doubt that you hear and will answer us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.


Day 8. Pray always that they all may be one. "Be at peace" (I Thess 5:13b)
January 27

 Is 11: 6-13                      The wolf shall live with the lamb
 Ps 122                             Peace be within your walls
 1 Thess 5: (12a) 13b-18: Be at peace among yourselves 
 Jn 17: 6-24                      That they all may be one
 
 Prayer

 Lord, make us one: one in our words, that a single reverent prayer might rise before you; one in our yearning and pursuit of justice; one in love, serving you by serving the least of our sisters and brothers; one in longing for your face. Lord, make us one in you. Amen.

To index page of the 2008 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity