The United Church of Christ observes a Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, each year, from January 18-25. This prayer was written for worship at St. Nicolai UCC on January 18, 2004.
As I reread this, I was surprised to remember my use of "tenacious hope" as a characteristic of God. Any thoughts about this?
Scripture: Psalm 133
Holy and Living God, God of many names and
many covenants, we address you, like our ancestors did, as one God. We worship you with joy. We sit in awe, because in the mystery of your
being diversity is expressed in perfect unity and love.
You who are One desire unity for all of
your creation. And you have acted in
tenacious hope through your Living Word and Energizing Spirit to reconcile all
things.
We rejoice for the various ways that we
have experienced your unifying presence: when we have sensed your welcoming
nearness enfolding us in the sure grip of a love that calms our fears; when we
have felt the wholeness and integrity of our own personhood and have been able
to act with courage and vulnerability; when we have known and offered the care
of brothers and sisters in the baptized community that feeds upon your word;
and when we have experienced delight in the complex interactions of a creation
that teems with life and overflows with beauty.
You who are One, though our unity often
seems fragile, we rejoice that you never give up and that you are constantly
working to bring your desire for unity to fullness among us. Amen.
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