Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Not Uniformity)

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of all our hearts be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer.  Amen.

Today is the first day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  Have any of you heard about this?

This is a movement that has been around since the 1800’s.  Originally, its purpose was to bring the Church of England back into communion with the Holy See or the Roman Catholic Church.  Since then, it has been adopted by many denominations around the world as a time to work together; as a time to realize that we are not so different, at least not in ways that really matter.

Throughout this sermon I am going to be offering insight and prayers from the Canadian Council of Churches which was written for this week.

Consider this: what opportunities for service are most threatened by pride and arrogance?  I know that I am guilty of believing that I know the “right” way to do things.  I find it difficult to back away from my position and look at other ways of doing things.  In our community, what can Christians of different traditions do better together than separately to reveal Christ?  We have Christians of several denominations here North of Smokey.  In our own denomination, we have two distinctly different traditions.  We are all following the same God and serve the same community.  How can we do this together?

Almighty and eternal God, by travelling the royal road of service, your Son leads us from the pride of our disobedience to humility of heart. Unite us to one another by your Holy Spirit, so that through service to our sisters and brothers, your face may be revealed; all praise be to you. Amen.

Consider this: in what situations do we need to practise a greater trust in God’s promises? What areas of church life are particularly at risk from the temptation to act hastily?

Faithful God, you are true to your word in every age. May we have patience and trust in your steadfast love. May we not obstruct the fullness of your justice by our own hasty judgments, but rather discern your wisdom and love in all things. Amen.

Consider this: how can our faith help us in our response to long-lasting suffering?  How can Christians bear witness together to the power of the cross?

God of consolation, you have transformed the shame of the cross into a sign of victory. Grant that we may be united around the cross of Christ. May the Holy Spirit open our eyes and our hearts, so that we help those who suffer to experience your closeness. You who live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.

Consider this: in what ways can our faith in Christ help us to overcome evils in our time and the evil one? What can we learn from situations in our community where division has given way to reconciliation?

Lord Jesus Christ, we thank you for your victory over evil. Help us in our daily struggle against all adversity. May the Holy Spirit help us overcome evil with good, and division with reconciliation. Amen.

Consider this: how do we experience hidden hostilities that affect our relationship to each other as Christian communities? How can we learn to welcome each other as Christ welcomes us?

Loving and merciful God, teach us the joy of sharing in your peace. Fill us with your Holy Spirit so that we may tear down the walls of hostility separating us. May the risen Christ unite us as members of his household. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Consider this: what can we do to become more credible witnesses to God’s steadfast love in a divided world? How can Christ’s followers more visibly support one another throughout the world?

Lord Jesus Christ, Lord of life, out of love for us you have chosen us to be your friends. May the Holy Spirit unite us to you and to one other, that we may faithfully serve as witnesses to your steadfast love; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

Consider this: how does the Good Shepherd inspire us to comfort, revive and restore the confidence of those who are lost? In what ways can Christians of various traditions strengthen each other in confessing and bearing witness to Jesus Christ?

Father of all, you call us to be one flock in our Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ. In following him, may we so care for others that all see in us the love of the one true Shepherd, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.

Consider this: how do we express together our faith in the Reign of Christ? How do we live out our hope in the coming Kingdom of God?

 Almighty God, grant that we may accept your gifts with humility. May your Holy Spirit strengthen us for the spiritual struggles ahead, so that united in Christ we may reign with him in glory. Grant this through the exalted Christ, who lives with you and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

As we go forward into this special week, let us try to remember that unity is not the same as uniformity.  Uniformity means thinking, acting, behaving the same.  Unity means working together towards the same goals, each in our own ways.  Unity means that we see being different as a strength, not as a problem.  May God help us to find unity in our parish life together and in our greater community here in God’s country.  Amen.