To seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation is the Mark of Mission underpinning Anglicans Powering Potential (APP). This Mark of Mission challenges us with the concept of neighbour and who constitutes our neighbour. It challenges us to address those structural features of our society that rob many of our neighbours of their full humanity.
As Christians, we are asked to love God and our neighbour as ourselves. This is the theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2024.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an ecumenical Christian observance in the Christian calendar that is celebrated internationally. It is kept annually between Ascension Day and Pentecost in the Southern Hemisphere and between 18 January and 25 January in the Northern Hemisphere. Date: Thu, Jan 18, 2024 – Thu, Jan 25, 2024
"You shall love the Lord your God… and your neighbor as yourself."
Luke 10:27
The theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in 2024, taken from the first chapter of the Gospel of Luke, reflects the connection between love of God and love of neighbor, with a particular concern for challenging the boundaries of who is considered "neighbor". Anglicans Powering Potential is asking that we challenge ourselves to see our neighbour in its widest sense, to approach the 2024 theme as a call for charity, mercy, justice, and unity.
A Prayer for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
We pray, O gracious Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, that we all may be one as you are one. In your community of complete unity, we have our beginning and our end. To you we pray, asking for the gift of visible unity among all who believe in your Christ.
As we commemorate this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (Jan. 18 – 25), we are reminded by your Word that all human beings are our neighbors and that we are to love them like ourselves, and in the same way we love you. Help us to overcome the barriers and divisions we have nurtured against your will.
Grant to us, O Lord, a new Spirit of love and solidarity, that we may proclaim your good news to all of creation. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ, who with you and the Holy Spirt are one God, for ever and ever. Amen.