The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2021
January 18th to 25th
Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit.
John’s Gospel 15:5-9
This year the theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was chosen by the Community of Grandchamp, Switzerland. It expresses the Community’s vocation to prayer, reconciliation and unity in the church and the human family. Grandchamp is a monastic community which brings together sisters from different Churches and from different countries. Today the community has fifty sisters, all women from different generations, church traditions, countries and continents. In their diversity the sisters are a living parable of communion. They remain faithful to a life of prayer, life in community and the welcoming of guests. The sisters share the grace of their monastic life with visitors and volunteers who go to Grandchamp for a time of retreat, silence, healing or in search of meaning.
Below we give the reflection and prayer for each day.
For the complete programme for the Week of Prayer visit the website of the World Council of Churches:
www.oikoumene.org/resources
Or download the pdf file here: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2021
Day 1: Monday, January 18th
Called by God
You did not choose me but I chose you.
John 15:16a
Prayer
Jesus Christ, you seek us, you wish to offer us your friendship
and lead us to a life that is ever more complete.
Grant us the confidence to answer your call
so that we may be transformed
and become witnesses of your tenderness for the world.
Day 4: Thursday, January 21st
Praying together
I do not call you servants any longer… but I have called you friends.
John 15:15
Prayer
Lord Jesus, your entire life was prayer, perfect harmony with the Father. Through your Spirit, teach us to pray according to your will of love. May the faithful of the whole world unite in intercession and praise, and may your kingdom of love come.
Day 7: Sunday, January 24th
Growing in unity
I am the vine, you are the branches.
John 15:5a
Prayer
Holy Spirit, vivifying fire and gentle breath, come and abide in us. Renew in us the passion for unity so that we may live in awareness of the bond that unites us in you. May all who have put on Christ at their Baptism unite and bear witness together to the hope that sustains them.
Day 2: Tuesday, January 19th
Maturing internally
Abide in me as I abide in you.
John 15:4a
Prayer
Holy Spirit, May we receive in our hearts the presence of Christ, and cherish it as a secret of love. Nourish our prayer, enlighten our reading of Scripture, act through us, so that the fruits of your gifts can patiently grow in us.
Day 5: Friday, January 22nd
Letting oneself be transformed by the Word
You have already been pruned by the Word.
John 15:3
Prayer
Blessed are you, God our Father, for the gift of your word in Holy Scripture. Blessed are you for its transforming power. Help us choose life and guide us by your Spirit, so that we can experience the happiness which you want so much to share with us.
Day 8: Monday, January 25th
Reconciling with all of creation
So that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
John 15:11
Prayer
Thrice-holy God, we thank you for having created and loved us. We thank you for your presence in us and in creation. May we learn to look upon the world as you look upon it, with love. In the hope of this vision, may we be able to work for a world where justice and peace flourish, for the glory of your name.
Day 3: Wednesday, January 20th
Forming one body
Love one another as I have loved you.
John 15:12b
Prayer
God our Father, you reveal to us your love through Christ and through our brothers and sisters. Open our hearts so that we can welcome each other with our differences and live in forgiveness. Grant us to live united in one body, so that the gift that is each person comes to light. May all of us together be a reflection of the living Christ.
Day 6: Saturday, January 23rd
Welcoming others
Go and bear fruit, fruit that will last.
John 15:16b
Prayer
Jesus Christ, we desire to welcome fully the brothers and sisters who are with us. You know how often we feel helpless in the face of their suffering, yet you are always there ahead of us and you have already received them in your compassion. Speak to them through our words, support them through our actions, and let your blessing rest on us all.
