Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2024
Monday, January 15, 2024The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity [WPCU] is an annual global ecumenical celebration (traditionally held January 18-25 in the northern hemisphere). Christians around the world are invited to pray for the unity of all the baptized; to reflect together on Scripture; to participate in jointly-organized worship services; and to share in acts of outreach and fellowship. The theme for 2024 is drawn from Luke 10:27: “You shall love the Lord your God…and your neighbour as yourself.”
Each year the Canadian Council of Churches [CCC]-sponsored Writing and Animation Team—whose members are drawn from a spectrum of denominations—supports the nationwide observance of the WPCU by contextualizing the international resources developed by the World Council of Churches in partnership with the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity. The resources proposed for use in Canada in 2024 are in turn made available at a dedicated website, co-sponsored by the CCC, the Canadian Centre for Ecumenism and the Prairie Centre for Ecumenism:
Pastors are invited to encourage the faithful to learn more about the WPCU, and to participate in and/or host an appropriate activity during the Week. During this time, some Bishops may also extend a particular welcome in their Cathedrals. As the 2020 Ecumenical Vademecum declares: “The bishop can very effectively advance the cause of Christian unity by participating in an ecumenical prayer service to mark the week with other Christian leaders, and by encouraging parishes and groups to work with other Christian communities present in the area to jointly organize special prayer events during this week.”
All are encouraged to make their own the closing prayer of the Canadian Order of Worship suggested for 2024:
“Lord Jesus, who prayed that all might be one,
we pray to you for the unity of all Christians,
according to your will, according to your means.
May your Spirit enable us to experience the suffering caused by division,
to see our sin and to hope beyond all hope. Amen.”