In 1968, official joint preparation of the materials began by the WCC Faith and Order Commission and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity
1968
| "To the praise of his glory" (Ephesians 1: 14) "Called to freedom" (Galatians 5: 13) "We are fellow workers for God" (1 Corinthians 3: 9) "... and the communion of the Holy Spirit" (2 Corinthians 13: 13) "I give you a new commandment" (John 13: 34) "Lord, teach us to pray" (Luke 11: 1) "That every tongue confess: Jesus Christ is Lord" (Philippians 2: 1-13) |
(In April 1974 a letter was sent to member churches and other interested parties concerning the setting up of local groups to be involved in the preparation of the Week of Prayer brochure. An Australian group was the first to take up this plan in preparing the 1975 initial draft of the Week of Prayer.)
1975
| "God's purpose: all things in Christ" (Ephesians 1: 3-10) "We shall be like him" (1 John 3: 2) or "Called to become what we are" "Enduring together in hope" (Romans 5: 1-5) "No longer strangers" (Ephesians 2: 13-22) "Serve one another to the glory of God" (l Peter 4: 7-11) "Your kingdom come" (Matthew 6: 10) "One Spirit - many gifts - one body" (1 Corinthians 12: 3b-13) "May all find their home in you, O Lord" (Psalm 84) "Jesus Christ - the Life of the World" (1 John 1: 1-4) "Called to be one through the cross of our Lord" (1 Cor 2: 2 and Colossians 1: 20). From death to life with Christ" (Ephesians 2: 4-7) "You shall be my witnesses" (Acts 1: 6-8) "United in Christ - a New Creation" (2 Corinthians 6: 17-6: 4a) "The love of God casts out fear" (1 John 4: 18) "Building community: one body in Christ" (Romans 12: 5-6a) "Batir la communauté: Un seul corps en Christ" "That they all may be one... That the world may believe" (John 17) "Praise the Lord, all you nations!" (Psalm 117 and Romans 15: 5-13) "I am with you always ... Go, therefore" (Matthew 28: 16-20) "Bearing the fruit of the Spirit for Christian unity" (Galatians 5: 22-23) "The household of God: called to be one in heart and mind" (Acts 4: 23-37) "Koinonia: communion in God and with one another" (John 15: 1-17) "Behold, I stand at the door and knock" (Rev. 3: 14-22) "We entreat you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God" (2 Cor 5: 20) "The Spirit helps us in our weakness" (Romans 8: 14-27) "He will dwell with them as their God, they will be his peoples" (Rev. 21: 1-7) "Blessed be God who has blessed us in Christ" (Eph 1: 3-14) |
Some Key Dates in the History of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
ca. 1740
1867
1908 1926
| In Scotland we find a pentecostal movement with North American links, whose revivalist message included prayers for and with all churches. The Rev. James Haldane Stewart publishes "Hints for the General Union of Christians for the Outpouring of the Spirit". The Rev. Ignatius Spencer, a convert to Roman Catholicism, suggests a "Union of Prayer for Unity". The First Lambeth Conference of Anglican Bishops emphasizes prayer for unity in the Preamble to its Resolutions. Pope Leo XIII encourages the practice of a Prayer Octave for Unity in the context of Pentecost. The observance of the "Church Unity Octave" initiated by the Rev. Paul Wattson. The Faith and Order movement begins publishing "Suggestions for an Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity". Abbé Paul Couturier of France advocates the "Universal Week of Prayer for Christian Unity" on the inclusive basis of prayer for "the unity Christ wills by the means he wills". Unité Chrétienne (Lyon, France) and the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches begin co-operative preparation of materials for the Week of Prayer. The "Decree on Ecumenism" of Vatican II emphasizes that prayer is the soul of the ecumenical movement and encourages observance of the Week of Prayer. The Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches and the Secretariat for Promoting Christian Unity [now known as the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity] begin official joint preparation of the Week of Prayer text. Text for 1996 prepared in collaboration with YMCA and YWCA. |
