Days of prayer for Christian unity in Africa

Here are reflections for the eight days of Christian Week of Prayer in Kenya to be observed from January 18 to 25, 2010.

BIBLICAL THEME: “You are witnesses of these things” (Luke 24:48)

During the past century reconciliation between Christians has taken on very different forms. Spiritual ecumenism has shown how important prayer is for Christian Unity. Great energy has been put into theological research which has led to a large number of doctrinal accords. Practical cooperation between Churches in the social field has given birth to fruitful initiatives. Alongside these major accomplishments, the question of mission has had a particular place. It is even generally held that the 1910 World Mission Conference in Edinburgh marked the beginning of the modern ecumenical movement.

The search for Unity: throughout the year

The traditional period in the northern hemisphere for the week of prayer for Christian unity is 18th -25th January. Those dates were proposed in 1908 by Paul Wattson to cover the days between the feast of St. Peter and St. Paul and therefore have a symbolic significance. Often Churches find other days to celebrate the week of Prayer, for example around Pentecost (Which was suggested by the Faith and Order Movement in 1926), which is also a symbolic date for the unity of the Church.

The theme for the 2010 week of prayer for Christian unity is “You are witnesses of these things.” It comes from chapter 24 of Luke’s gospel. This is also the theme which Scottish Christians have chosen to celebrate the centenary of the Edinburgh Mission Conference. In 1910 members of the meeting in Edinburgh heard prophetic witness as to how divisions between Christians not only weaken missionary effectiveness, but also the church and body of Christ and its mission.

THE EIGHT DAYS

During the 2010 week of prayer for Christian Unity we will reflect on chapter 24 of Luke’s Gospel stopping at the question which it asks: Jesus’ questions to his disciples; the questions the apostles ask of Christ.

Each of these questions allows us to highlight a particular way of witnessing to the Risen one.

Each of them invites us to think about our situation of church division and about how, concretely, we can remedy that. We are already witnesses and we need to become better witnesses. How?

By praising the one who gives us the gift of life and resurrection (Day 1);

By knowing how to share the story of our faith with others (Day 2);

By recognizing that God is at work in our lives (Day 3)

By giving thanks for the faith we have received (Day 4)

By confessing Christ’s victory over all suffering (Day 5)

By seeking to always be more faithful to the word of God (Day 6)

By growing in faith, hope and love (day 7)

By offering hospitality and knowing how to receive it when it is offered to us (Day 8)

Would our witness not be more faithful to the gospel of Christ in each of these eight aspects if we witnessed together?

BIBLICAL REFLECTION AND PRAYERS FOR THE “EIGHT DAYS”

DAY 1

Theme: Witness through Celebrating life

Why do you look for the living among the dead? (Luke 24:5)

Readings

Genesis1:1,26-31 God saw all that he had made, and indeed, it was good

Psalm 104:1-24 O Lord, how manifold are your works.

1Corinthians 15:12-20 If the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised

Luke 24:1-5 Why do you look for the living among the dead?

Prayer

God our creator, we praise you for all who give witness to their faith by their words and actions. In living life to the full we encounter your loving presence in the many experiences you offer us. May our common witness of celebrating life unite us in blessing you, the author of all life.

DAY 2

Theme: Witness through sharing stories

What are you discussing with each other while you walk along? (Luke 24:17)

Readings

Jeremiah 1:4-8 Go to all to whom I send you

Psalm 98 Sing to the Lord a new song

Acts 14:21-23 They strengthened the souls of the disciples

Luke 24:13-17a What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?

Prayer

God of history, we thank you for all who have shared their story of faith with us and so have given witness to your presence in their lives. We praise you for the variety of our stories both as individuals and churches. In these stories we see the unfolding of the one story of Jesus Christ. We pray for the courage and the conviction to share our faith with those with whom we come into contact, and so allow the message of your Word to spread to all.

DAY 3

Theme: Witness through Awareness

Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days? (Luke 24:18)

Readings

1 Samuel 3:1-10 Speak, Lord your servant is listening

Psalm 23 The Lord is my Shepherd

Acts 8:26-40 Philip proclaimed to him the Good News about Jesus.

Luke 24:13-19a … their eyes were kept from recognizing him

Prayer

Lord Jesus, Good Shepherd, You encounter us and remain with us in everyday life. We pray for the grace to be aware of all you do for us. We ask that you prepare us to be open to all you offer us and bring us together in one flock.

DAY 4

Theme: Bearing witness through celebrating the faith we have received

“What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth.” (Luke 24:19)

Readings

Deuteronomy 6:3-9 The Lord is our God, the Lord alone.

Psalm 34 I will bless the Lord at all times

Acts 4:32-35 Of one heart and soul.

Luke 24:17-21 But we had hoped…

Prayer

Lord God, we give you thanks for all the people and communities who have communicated the message of the Good News to us, and thus given us a solid foundation for our faith today. We pray that we too may together bear witness to our faith, so that others may know you and place their trust in the truth of salvation offered in Jesus Christ for the life of the world.

DAY 5

Theme: Witness through suffering

Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory? (Luke 24:26)

Readings

Isaiah 50:5-9 The one who vindicates me is near.

Psalm 124 Our help is in the name of the Lord.

Romans 8:35-39 God’s love shown forth in Jesus Christ.

Luke 24:25-27 He interpreted to them the things about himself.

Prayer

God our Father, look with compassion on our situations of poverty, suffering, sin and death, we ask you for forgiveness, healing, comfort and support in our ordeals.

We give you thanks for all who manage to see light in their affliction.

May your divine Spirit teach us the greatness of your compassion and help us stand alongside our sisters and brothers in difficulty. Filled with its blessings, may we in unity proclaim and share with the world the victory of your son who lives for ever.

DAY 6

Theme: Witness through faithfulness to the Scriptures

Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us? (Luke 24:32)

Readings

Isaiah 55:10-11: The word that goes forth from my mouth does not return to me empty

Psalm 119:17-40: Open my eyes that I may see the wonders of your law

2 Timothy 3:14-17: All scripture is inspired by God

Luke 24:28-35: Jesus opens the scriptures to His disciples

Prayer

God, we praise and thank you for your saving Word as it reaches out to us through the Sacred Scriptures. We thank you too for the brothers and sisters with whom we share your word and discover together the abundance of your love. We pray for the light of the Holy Spirit, so that Your Word may lead and direct our quest for greater unity.

DAY 7

Theme: Witness through Hope and Trust

Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? (Luke 24:41)

Readings

Job 19:23-27 God whom I shall see on my side

Psalm 63 My soul thirsts for You

Acts 3:1-10 What I have, I give you

Luke 24:36-40 The disciples were startled and terrified

Prayer

God of hope, share your vision of the one Church with us, and overcome our doubts. Increase our faith in your presence, that all who profess belief in you may worship together in spirit and in truth. We especially pray for all who are in doubt right now, or whose lives are spent in the shadow of danger and fear. Be with them and give them your consoling presence.

DAY 8

Theme: Witness through Hospitality

Have you anything here to eat? (Luke 24:41)

Readings

Genesis 18:1-8 Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves

Psalm 146 He who gives justice to the oppressed and gives food to the hungry

Romans 14:17-19 Pursue what makes for peace and mutual edification

Luke 24:41-48 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures

Prayer

God of love, You have shown your hospitality in Christ. We acknowledge that through sharing our gifts with all we meet you. Give us the grace that we may become one on our journey together and recognize you in one another. In welcoming the stranger in your name may we become witnesses to your hospitality and your justice.