2009 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity -- a message from the Tennessee Conference Committee on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (I Thessalonians 5:16-18).
The Tennessee Conference Committee on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns (CUIC) encourages your continual prayers for unity and your participation in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, January 18-25, 2009.
Christians around the world will offer special prayers for unity during this week of prayer: “that they may be one in your hand” (Ezekiel 37:17). Ezekiel – the name meaning “God makes him strong” – was called by God to give the people hope in the desperate religious and political upheaval following the fall and occupation of Israel and the exile of many of the people. Ezekiel’s words give hope that God will gather God’s people again into one, calling them God’s own, and blessing them in order to make them a mighty people. In the reading of this text from the Old Testament, Christians may reflect on how to apply this passage in our own lives, particularly when there is strife and division. For God is the One who restores unity, reconciles people, and brings new life and hope into our midst.
Flowing from the central text taken from Ezekiel, our reflection during the “eight days” of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is designed to bring us to a deeper awareness of how the unity of the Church is in direct correlation with the renewal of the community. The week begins with an invitation for us to pray for the various situations in our world where reconciliation is so desperately needed.
On Day 2 we will pray for wisdom and guidance to overcome an end to war and violence.
Day 3 will offer a meditation in addressing the disparity between the rich and the poor.
The intention of Day 4 is for us to offer prayers in order to protect the gifts that God gives us in creation.
On Day 5 we will pray for the cessation of prejudice and discrimination that marks our societies today.
On Day 6 we will remember in prayer all those who suffer and those caregivers who serve and minister so faithfully.
Day 7 will address the area of pluralism as we pray for God’s will and guidance.
Our prayers will come full circle on Day 8 when we pray that the spirit of the Beatitudes will overcome the spirit of this strife-torn world.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity offers opportunities for us to meet and pray with other Christians of different denominations in each locality. We invite you to be creative in your observation of this powerful prayer time. The International Committee has developed several useful resources for promoting and participating in this time of spiritual renewal. Worship resources are available in electronic form via the CTBI website address(http://www.rootsontheweb.com/).
Another internet resource is (http://www.geii.org/). In addition the Tennessee Conference CUIC has developed a prayer vigil commitment sheet with different time slots as an instrument for congregations and communities to utilizeduring this week (see attachment).
The purpose of this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is for us to pray as Christ prayed “that they may be one” and to pray for the unity of all Christians as we share in Christ’s ministry.
On behalf of the Committee on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns (CUIC) it is our prayer that each experience during this week will stir up a commitment within each of us to continue offering our prayers for unity throughout the year.
The Rev. Kimi Brown, Chair
Tennessee Conference Committee on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns
The Tennessee Conference Committee on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns (CUIC) encourages your continual prayers for unity and your participation in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, January 18-25, 2009.
Christians around the world will offer special prayers for unity during this week of prayer: “that they may be one in your hand” (Ezekiel 37:17). Ezekiel – the name meaning “God makes him strong” – was called by God to give the people hope in the desperate religious and political upheaval following the fall and occupation of Israel and the exile of many of the people. Ezekiel’s words give hope that God will gather God’s people again into one, calling them God’s own, and blessing them in order to make them a mighty people. In the reading of this text from the Old Testament, Christians may reflect on how to apply this passage in our own lives, particularly when there is strife and division. For God is the One who restores unity, reconciles people, and brings new life and hope into our midst.
Flowing from the central text taken from Ezekiel, our reflection during the “eight days” of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is designed to bring us to a deeper awareness of how the unity of the Church is in direct correlation with the renewal of the community. The week begins with an invitation for us to pray for the various situations in our world where reconciliation is so desperately needed.
On Day 2 we will pray for wisdom and guidance to overcome an end to war and violence.
Day 3 will offer a meditation in addressing the disparity between the rich and the poor.
The intention of Day 4 is for us to offer prayers in order to protect the gifts that God gives us in creation.
On Day 5 we will pray for the cessation of prejudice and discrimination that marks our societies today.
On Day 6 we will remember in prayer all those who suffer and those caregivers who serve and minister so faithfully.
Day 7 will address the area of pluralism as we pray for God’s will and guidance.
Our prayers will come full circle on Day 8 when we pray that the spirit of the Beatitudes will overcome the spirit of this strife-torn world.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity offers opportunities for us to meet and pray with other Christians of different denominations in each locality. We invite you to be creative in your observation of this powerful prayer time. The International Committee has developed several useful resources for promoting and participating in this time of spiritual renewal. Worship resources are available in electronic form via the CTBI website address(http://www.rootsontheweb.com/).
Another internet resource is (http://www.geii.org/). In addition the Tennessee Conference CUIC has developed a prayer vigil commitment sheet with different time slots as an instrument for congregations and communities to utilizeduring this week (see attachment).
The purpose of this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is for us to pray as Christ prayed “that they may be one” and to pray for the unity of all Christians as we share in Christ’s ministry.
On behalf of the Committee on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns (CUIC) it is our prayer that each experience during this week will stir up a commitment within each of us to continue offering our prayers for unity throughout the year.
The Rev. Kimi Brown, Chair
Tennessee Conference Committee on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns
