Thank you Juniper for your sharing these with us! I'm struck today by this from day 5:
The unity we pray for may require the transformation of some familiar forms of Church life. This is an exciting vision, but it may fill us with some fear! The unity we pray for is not merely a comfortable notion of friendliness and co-operation. This unity requires a willingness to dispense with competition between us. We need to open ourselves to each other, to offer gifts to and receive gifts from one another, so we might truly enter into the new life in Christ, which is the only true victory.


The Sunday NY Times Magazine had an interesting article about the South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius, who was born without bones in his lower legs and so has always walked - and now runs quite fast - on prosthetic legs. Whether these legs offer his an advantage or a disadvantage in competitions is under debate and the article listens to various people's thoughts and research on that. I found myself wondering this morning about "being first" - what it means and whether it's possible that any two humans can possibly share a "level playing field." That we have an abundance of variety of gifts and challenges and there is something of the sheer miracle in the fact that any group of people might want to run and play together and test our bodies and minds against one another. And no less Oscar's extraordinary circumstance of being able to walk at all, let alone run with the fastest people alive and his pleasure in being out there. How do we watch the line where such play becomes cruel, where some feel drawn to cheat or take drugs? There seems to be something about accepting our limitations in this - losing the joy in movement and community and stretching ourselves, and becoming consumed with a competitiveness that destroys one another.

Where is the ego in that kind of unfriendly competition? Who do we serve, who do we build up, who makes the rules, who decides what makes for "levelness"? As Christians where does our playfulness with one another, sharing in traditions and learning of other's beliefs meet the place where our egos want our way to be the right way?

Changed by God's steadfast love
Hab 3:17-19, Ps 136:1-4. 23-26, 1 Jn 5:1-6, Jn 15:9-17
Commentary
Faith in God keeps hope alive in spite of failure. Lamentation turns to joy in God’s fidelity that supplies strength in the face of despair. Recalling God’s great works is a source of joy, gratitude and hope, which believers have for centuries expressed in prayer, hymns of praise and music. Victory in Christ involves a change of heart, perceiving life from the perspective of eternity, and believing in the final victory over death. This victorious force is faith, the bestower and source of which is God. And its most perfect manifestation is love.
Jesus’ relationship to his disciples is based on love. He calls them his friends. Their service consists of conforming their lives to the commandment of love, arising from internal conviction and faith. In a spirit of love, even when the progress to full visible unity seems slow, we do not lose hope. God’s steadfast love will enable us to overcome the deepest divisions.

Consider: 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?

Prayer
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.

Today we pray for the Church in Africa, and for the Orthodox Churches, the Oriental Orthodox Churches, the Assyrian Church of the East, and the Mar Thoma Church.

Day 5: Changed by Christ's Peace
Mal 4:5-6, Ps 132, Eph 2:14-20, John 20: 19-23

Commentary
Jesus brings unity, because he has demolished the wall of hostility between people in his own body. Jesus does not reject or destroy or humiliate; he puts an end to alienation; he transforms, heals and unites all, that they may become members of God’s household.
Peace be with you – that is Christ’s greeting and also his gift. It is an invitation to seek peace with God and establish new, lasting relationships within the human family and all of creation. By the gift of the Holy Spirit, the risen Lord invites his disciples into his mission of bringing peace, healing and forgiveness to all the world. As long as Christians remain divided, the world will not be convinced of the full truth of the Gospel message that Christ has brought about one new humanity. Peace and unity are the hallmarks of this transformation. The churches need to appropriate and witness to these gifts as members of the one household of God built upon the sure foundation of Jesus as the cornerstone.

Consider: 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?

Prayer
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.

The material for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in 2012 was prepared by a working group composed of representatives of the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church, the Old Catholic Church, and Protestant Churches active in Poland.
Following extensive discussions involving the representatives of various ecumenical circles in Poland, it was decided to focus on a theme that is concerned with the transformative power of faith in Christ, particularly in relation to our praying for the visible unity of the Church, the Body of Christ. This theme is based on St. Paul’s words to the Corinthian Church, where he compares the temporary nature of our present lives (with all their apparent “victories” and “defeats”) to what we receive through the victory of Christ through the Paschal mystery.


The history of Poland has been marked by a series of defeats and victories. We recall the many times that Poland has been invaded, the partitions, oppression by foreign powers and hostile systems. The constant striving to overcome all enslavement and the desire for freedom are features of Polish history that have led to significant changes in the life of the nation. And yet where there is victory there are also losers who do not share the joy and triumph of the winners.

This particular history of the Polish nation has led the ecumenical group that wrote this year’s material to reflect more deeply on what it means to win and to lose, especially given the way in which the language of victory is so often understood in triumphalist terms. Yet Christ shows us a different way!
In 2012 the European Football Championship will be held in Poland and Ukraine. The hosting of such an event would never have been possible in years gone by. For many Polish people, this is a sign of another national victory, as hundreds of millions of fans eagerly await news of winning teams playing in this part of Europe. Thinking of this example might lead us to consider the plight of those who do not win – not only in sport, but in their lives and communities. Who will spare a thought for the losers, those who constantly suffer defeats because they are denied victory due to various conditions and circumstances? Rivalry is a permanent feature in sport but also in political, business, cultural and even church life.
When Jesus’ disciples disputed over “who was the greatest” (Mark 9:34), it was clear that this impulse was strong. But Jesus’ reaction was very simple: “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all” (Mark 9:35). These words speak of victory through mutual service, helping, boosting the self-esteem of those who are “last”: forgotten, excluded. For all Christians, the best expression of such humble service is Jesus Christ, his victory through death and his resurrection. It is in his life, action, teaching, suffering, death and resurrection that we desire to seek inspiration for a modern victorious life of faith that expresses itself in social commitment in a spirit of humility, service and faithfulness to the Gospel. And as he awaited the suffering and death that were to come, he prayed that his disciples might be one so that the world might believe. This victory is possible only through spiritual transformation, through conversion. The point is to achieve a victory that integrates all Christians around the service of God and our neighbour.
As we pray for, and strive towards, the full visible unity of the Church, we – and the traditions to which we belong – will be changed, transformed and conformed to the likeness of Christ. The unity we pray for may require the transformation of some familiar forms of Church life. This is an exciting vision, but it may fill us with some fear! The unity we pray for is not merely a comfortable notion of friendliness and co-operation. This unity requires a willingness to dispense with competition between us. We need to open ourselves to each other, to offer gifts to and receive gifts from one another, so we might truly enter into the new life in Christ, which is the only true victory.
There is room for everyone in God’s plan of salvation. Through his death and resurrection, Christ embraces all people, “that whoever believes in him may have eternal life” (John 3:15). We, too, can participate in his victory!



This year’s worship service includes the particular Polish custom of sharing a special wafer, the opłatek (plural: opłatki), with one another as a sign of peace. In Poland, opłatki are shared in people’s homes before the Christmas Eve meal, and also over Christmas in meetings in churches and even at work. This custom is so precious to Poles, living at home and abroad, that it is practised not only by people of different confessions, but also by non-believers. Each person is given a wafer. People then share this wafer by breaking off a piece of another person’s wafer and eating it. In doing so they convey their best wishes to each other. This sharing of the wafer expresses unity, love and forgiveness between people to whom the Saviour came. Although it is not the Eucharist, the opłatek nevertheless resembles it and symbolizes the presence of the One who was born in a House of Bread (Bethlehem) and who himself became the bread of life – Jesus Christ.

If no opłatek or wafer is available, bread may be used for this ritual. Of course, this exchange of the “sign of peace” may be done according to local custom if preferred.

Day Three: Changed by the Suffering Servant
Christ suffered for us (cf. 1 Pt 2:21)
This day calls us to reflect on the suffering of Christ. Following Christ the Suffering Servant,
Christians are called to solidarity with all who suffer. The closer we come to the cross of
Christ the closer we come to one another.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity focus on Jerusalem JANUARY 20, 2011

World Council of Churches - GENEVA

Shortly after the beginning of each year, Christians around the world pray for church unity. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, traditionally celebrated from Jan. 18-25, draws on resources sponsored jointly by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity of the Roman Catholic Church.

The materials for January 2011 have been prepared in partnership with the churches of Jerusalem.

“In a present-day context of despair and suffering, the churches of Jerusalem show determination and witness together with the global church for a just peace in the city of peace,” said WCC general secretary the Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit in a sermon at Geneva’s Ecumenical Center during a service of prayer organized by the city’s churches.

The service on Jan. 19 included traditional music from the Middle East and was led by local church leaders. It was attended by more than 200 people.

Tveit observed that the New Testament portrayal of the Jerusalem church “describes the original oneness of those early believers in Jesus. Being one means being together, breaking bread, praising God, but also giving and sharing, according to who is in need.”

He described the image of sharing around the table as a striking image that “gives great spiritual energy” to ecumenical endeavors.

Tveit continued: “The table is also a place and space that demands that we think about justice and the way food and access to power are shared in the world, especially at a time when speculation with food prices will mean that the poorest will become poorer, and go hungry.”

Tveit noted that “there is still sadly one table where we as Christians do not yet eat together,” referring to differences among churches that mean all Christians cannot share together in the eucharist.

“Yet here too the witness of Christians in Jerusalem, the mother church of us all, can help us. They show us that it is possible to work together despite divisions, to carry forward prophetic calls for justice and peace, and try to be one in action together.”

In the Geneva service, Father Mikhail Megally of the Coptic Orthodox congregation thanked other local churches for their support in the wake of recent violence perpetrated against the Coptic community in Egypt.

He told the gathering, “Copts are children of the Middle East. They belong to this region and are part of its development and identity. We cannot imagine either Egypt or the Middle East without their Christians.”

Sorry, I missed yesterday Day 7

Day Seven: Changed by the Good Shepherd
Feed my sheep (Jn 21:17)
On this day the Bible texts show us the Lord strengthening His flock. Following the Good
Shepherd, we are called to strengthen each other in the Lord, and to support and fortify the
weak and the lost. There is one Shepherd, and we are his people.

January 25th Conversion of St Paul
Day Eight: United in the Reign of Christ
To the one who conquers I will give a place with me on my throne (Rv 3:21)
On this last day of our week of prayer for Christian Unity we celebrate the Reign of Christ.
Christ’s victory enables us to look into the future with hope. This victory overcomes all that
keeps us from sharing fullness of life with him and with each other. Christians know that
unity among us is above all a gift of God. It is a share in Christ’s glorious victory over all that
divides.

Thank you Juniper! I look forward to reading more and praying along on this endeavor. Christian Unity - what a good prayer (and practice) for us Ecumenicals!

Day Two: Changed through patient waiting for the Lord

Let it be so now, for it is proper to fulfil all righteousness (Mt 3:15)
On this day we concentrate on patient waiting for the Lord. To achieve any change, perseverance and patience are needed. Prayer to God for any kind of transformation is also an act of faith and trust in his promises. Such waiting for the Lord is essential for all who pray for the visible unity of the church this week. All ecumenical activities require time, mutual attention and joint action. We are all called to co-operate with the work of the Spirit in uniting Christians.

Here is the World Council of churches page on the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity:
www.oikoumene.org/en/programmes/unity-mi...christian-unity.html
I have attached the annual brochure

The Graymoor Friars,the Friars of the Atonement, sponsor a week of prayer for Christian unity from the feast of the Confession of St Peter 1/18 - today - to the feast of the Conversion of St Paul 1/25.

The theme for the 2012 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is: We Will All Be Changed by the Victory of Our Lord Jesus Christ.... It is based on St Paul's words to the Corinthian Church which speak of the temporary nature of our present lives in comparison to what we receive through the victory of Christ through the Paschal mystery. This "victory" is only possible through spiritual transformation, conversion. As we pray for and strive towards the full visible unity of the church we, and the traditions to which we belong, will be changed, transformed and conformed to the likeness of Christ.

Check out the webpage for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. www.atonementfriars.org/our_missions_and...christian_unity.html

The Graymoor Friars began as Episcopal Franciscans in the 1890s and then became Roman Catholics at the turn of the 20th century.

Day 4: changed by God's Victory over Evil
Ex 23:1-9, Ps 1, Rom 12:17-21, Mt 4:1-11
Commentary
In Jesus we learn what ‘victory’ really means: he has overcome the destructive forces that damage humanity and all of God’s creation. In Jesus we can share in a new life that calls us to struggle against what is wrong in our world with renewed confidence and with a delight in what is good.
The word of God is a sure guide and enables a person to lead a life full of fruitfulness for the good of others. Jesus’ victory over the temptations in the desert is fulfilled in his obedience to the Father, which leads him to the cross. The Saviour’s resurrection confirms that God’s love overcomes death. The risen Lord is near! He accompanies us in every struggle against temptation and sin in the world. His presence calls Christians to act together in the cause of goodness. The scandal is that because of our divisions, we cannot be strong enough to fight against the evils of our time. United in Christ, delighting in his law of love, we are called to share in his mission of bringing hope to the places of injustice, hatred and despair.

Consider: 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?
Prayer
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.

Some Key Dates in the History of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
ca. 1740 - In Scotland, a pentecostal movement with North American links includes prayer for and with all churches in its revivalist message
1820 - The Rev'd James Haldane Stewart publishes "Hints for the General Union of Christians for the Outpouring of the Spirit."
1840 - The Rev'd Ignatius Spencer, a convert to Roman Catholicism, suggests a "Union of Prayer for Unity."
1867 - The First Lambeth Conference of Anglican Bishops emphasizes prayer for unity in the Preamble to its Resolutions.
1894 - Pope Leo XIII encourages the practice of a Prayer Octave for Unity in the context of Pentecost.
1908 - The observance of the "Church Unity Octave" is initiated by the Rev'd Paul Wattson.
1926 - The Faith and Order movement begins publishing "Suggestions for an Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity."
1935 - Abbé Paul Couturier of France advocates the "Universal Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" on the inclusive basis of prayer for "the unity Christ wills by the means he wills."
1958 - Unité Chrétienne (Lyons, France) and the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches begin co-operative preparation of materials for the Week of Prayer.
1964 - The "Decree on Ecumenism" of Vatican II emphasizes that prayer is the soul of the ecumenical movement and encourages observance of the Week of Prayer.
1966 - The Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches and the Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity (now known as the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity) begin official joint preparation of the Week of Prayer text.
1968 - A joint committee of The Canadian Council of Churches and the Canadian Catholic Conference (now the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops) begins to rewrite the international materials for Canadian use.
1994 - The Commission on Faith and Witness of The Canadian Council of Churches adapts and expands the Week of Prayer text to create a larger resource.
Spring 2010 - The ecumenical Week of Prayer Writing Committee of The Canadian Council of Churches meets to create the resource for 2011.