Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

How often, when you pray, do you pray for things “hoped for” but not yet fully manifest? Okay, many of us pray for “world peace” or “ending hunger” but I mean concrete, visible things that have yet to be realized in full?

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an occasion to pray for just that: the full manifestation of church unity as directed by Christ in John 17:23: “that they may be one.” Founded by Graymoor Franciscan in 1908 and adopted by multiple church traditions and denominations by mid-century, this week focuses on praying for the unity that God wills for us in his Son. For those interested in the history: Catherine Clifford’s A Century of Prayer for Christian Unity is a fine read.

There are many events in the D.C. area to commemorate this week:

January 17, 7 pm: the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land w/ Fr. John Crossin of the USCCB
Franciscan Monastery Week of Prayer Christian Unity

January 18, 6:30 pm:. Washington Theological Union with the Paulist Fathers and Dr. Larry Golemon of the WTC, Washington Theological Union Events

January 19, 5:15 pm: Theological College at Catholic University with Dr. David McAllister-Wilson of Wesley Seminary: CUA Week of Prayer Christian Unity

All Week: the Cathedral of St. Mathew and the Archdiocese of Washington Archdiocese Washington Week of Prayer Christian Unity .

January 24, 7:30 pm:  Virginia LARCUM at St. Christopher Episcopal Church, Springfield, VA, with Bishops from Episcopal, Lutheran, and Catholic Dioceses.
Virginia LARCUM Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

February 2, 5:30 pm: The Student Board of the Washington Theological Consortium prayer service at WTU, and the Ecumenical Award and Figel address by Dr. Margaret O’Gara, University of St. Michael’s College, Toronto.
Consortium Week of Prayer Christian Unity and Figel Address

Above all, take time out in your own prayer to help the churches fully manifest the unity we have in Christ, especially for this world torn asunder.