Friday, January 19, 2007

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an octave, that is, an observance lasting eight days, beginning with the Feast of the Confession of St. Peter, on January 18, and concluding with the Feast of the Conversion of St Paul, on January 25.

Blessed be the Lord our God for the love that you have shown us through Jesus Christ our Lord. In him who loved us we are conquerors over hardship, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril and the sword. In the silence of abandonment and solitude, of sickness and death, pour out the riches of your blessing, that we may be ever more faithful to serve you in our sisters and brothers, and that our joy do do your will be ever greater.

We bless you and glorify you, for you listen to the silence of our hearts. You act within us with power, healing us and leading us to speak in the name of Jesus, your Son. Send us into the world to carry our your will and to break down the walls of silence that separate us. May we witness to you, our only Savior, being ever more united by "one faith and one baptism." And may we grow in grace and in the peace of God that passes all understanding, that your name may be glorified. Amen. (by the Graymoor Ecumenical & Interreligious Institute)

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