Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – Day 2: Creation as God’s work.

WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY

Introduction

At the heart of our reflections for this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
is the question posed by Jesus to Martha: ‘Do you believe this?’ (John 11:26).

This same question resonated throughout the deliberations of the first Ecumenical
Council, meeting in Nicaea in 325, which gathered Christian communities from
around the world to strengthen their relationships as the Church of Jesus Christ.
Reflecting on these moments we are reminded that the gift of our faith brings
both support and challenge.

This year the ecumenical celebration has been prepared by the community of Bose,
an ecumenical monastery of brothers and sisters in northern Italy. In Bose, community life
is shaped by the rhythm of regular prayer. As the bells call the sisters, brothers and guests to prayer,
they all assemble at the church.

As we celebrate 1,700 years since the Council of Nicaea, this material has at its heart,
the Nicene Creed.

Day 1: The fatherhood and motherhood of God who rules the universe.
Day 2: Creation as God’s work.
Day 3: The Incarnation of the Son.
Day 4: The Paschal Mystery: Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus.
Day 5: The Holy Spirit, breath of God.
Day 6: The Church: Community of believers.
Day 7: Baptism into the Death and Resurrection of the Lord.
Day 8: Waiting for the Kingdom.

19 Jan   Day 2: Creation as God’s work.

Prayer

We praise you and give you thanks, God of steadfast love,
for the great signs of your favour and your mercy for the whole creation.
You have made all things: you declared them to be good,
and you love all that brings life.
We proclaim, O Lord, your glory seen in the immense starry vastness of
the universe and in the smallest seed of life.
We give thanks for the works of your hands and the creation of all people.
Blessed are you for the air that gives us life.
Blessed are you for the earth that nourishes us.
Blessed are you for the water that quenches our thirst.
Blessed are you for the fire that warms us.
Lord God, Father of lights, strengthen our hearts in expectation and hope
as we work for unity and together seek the harmony of all creation.

Readings:
Jeremiah 33:14-16
Psalm 72:12-14
John 1:1-14