The United Church of Christ observes a "Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" from January 18-25 each year. This prayer was written for Sunday worship at St. Nicolai United Church of Christ on January 19, 2014.
This is a prayer of thanksgiving, but reading it also reminds me of the huge gap in our experience and Christ's desire for our unity.
Some of the scriptures behind this prayer: 2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 1:15-20; Romans 12:3-8; Ephesians 4:1-7; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Acts 2:42-47; John 3:16.
God our Maker, we rejoice
that you have made us anew in Jesus Christ, even as you are renewing and
uniting all of creation in Christ. We
rejoice that when you renewed our lives in Christ, you inextricably linked us to
each other, to be your people of bold, loving action in the world.
Thank you for creating a sure foundation
for unity through the self-giving love of Jesus and by the generous outpouring
of your Holy Spirit who is constantly present with us. Thank you for giving us diverse gifts that are
energized by your Spirit so we may nurture each other, grow in faithful unity
by mutual acts of service, and act in healing, liberating, peacemaking ways in
your world.
Thank you for calling us together to learn
from the instruction of prophets and apostles, to share bread and wine as
effective signs of our life together in Christ, to pray without ceasing for
each other and for the world you have loved at great cost, and to share the
resources you have given us with hearts full of gratitude and generosity.
We thank you for making us one and trust
that your wisdom and your gifts will enable a more complete expression of unity
among us. Amen.
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