The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Sometimes known as the Octave of Prayer, this runs from January 18th to January 25th. Though it’s not in the Anglican lectionary, January 18th is sometimes kept as the date on which we acknowledge St Peter’s Confession and the 25th, which we do keep, is the Conversion of St Paul. Hence we commemorate two pillars of the early church, martyred for their faith.
The origins of the Week
In 1908, a Franciscan Friar, Father Paul Wattson, proposed an octave devoted to Christian Unity. The point then and now is to address reconciliation of all branches of Christ’s Church.
In 2021 the material has been prepared by the Monastic Community of Grandchamp* in Switzerland. The theme that was chosen, “Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit”, is based on John 15:1-17 and expresses Grandchamp Community’s vocation to prayer, reconciliation and unity in the Church and the human family. The usual printed resources have not been issued this year, instead the material is all online at Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2021 (ctbi.org.uk)
Introduction from the material for the Week
Our spiritual well-being is as important as our physical well-being. In the past year both of these have been seriously challenged: the COVID-19 pandemic has caused us to be careful about our own health, taking precautions such as washing hands and wearing facemasks and maintaining social distance. Some of us have been ill or have lost someone close to us. Meanwhile the working lives of many have been disrupted and families kept apart, often at huge personal cost. Perhaps it has made us all more anxious about our health and more aware of our vulnerability. Opportunities to worship and pray together have been seriously curtailed. We may well be feeling a sense of isolation from God as well as our neighbour.
Lockdown has caused us to think again about our priorities and the things and people that we value, that make our lives whole. The long periods of absence from family and friends, and the inability to share a meal together or celebrate a birthday or a wedding, are examples of this.
When it comes to our spiritual life, what is it that is most important for our well-being? What does it mean to be part of the one Church, the Body of Christ, when all we see of our sisters and brothers are on the screen of a laptop?
Social media
Show your support for Christian Unity by posting unity messages to the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Twitter wall – simply add the #wpcuwall hashtag to your Twitter post (note there is a delay before they appear). You can also find updates about the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on Twitter by following the #wpcu2021 hashtag.
*If you’d like to find out more about the community at Grandchamp see
Community | Communaute de Grandchamp