This is the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The worldwide observance, which begins Sunday, January 18, and ends Sunday, January 25, invites us to pray for unity, asking that God's people may be one, as the Father and the Son are one. For at least two reasons, let us pray for the oneness of the Church.

First, let us ask that we may be one, because division in the Christian family is a scandal. Robert McAfee Brown notes that Christians often sing:

We are not divided,
All one body we,
One in hope, in doctrine,
One in charity.

He suggests that a more honest version would go:

We are all divided,
Not one body we,
One lacks faith, another hope,
And all lack charity.

Indeed, one of the skeletons in the Christian closet is division. That this shameful, divided character of the Church may be overcome, ask the Lord for unity.

A second reason to ask for Christian unity is this: Our Lord prayed for the oneness of his followers. "Holy Father," he said, "protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one."

Remembering our Lord's prayer for the oneness of all Christians everywhere, let us align ourselves with his will and ask that it be done. Among other things, the credibility of our witness and service depends upon unity. We sing:

We all are one in mission;
We all are one in call,
Our varied gifts united by Christ,
The Lord of all.
(Rusty Edwards, Hymn 755, With One Voice)

For the sake of the effectiveness of our mutual mission, ask God to show us how to walk hand-in-hand and to work side-by-side. For, when the unity for which Jesus prayed becomes a reality among us, our common mission will be strengthened.

Bind us together, Lord,
Bind us together, Lord,
Bind us together with cords that cannot be broken.
Bind us together, Lord,
Bind us together, Lord;
Bind us together in love.
Bob Gillman, Hymn 748, With One Voice

Contributed by Pastor Richard
Published Sunday January 18, 2004
Week 8 of Liturgical Year C