Daily Intercessions for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
These prayers, which follow the pattern of the Good Friday Solemn Prayers of the Faithful and the Sunday Intercessions, are offered as an easy way to keep the Week of Prayer during the biddings at a daily Eucharist or Evening Prayer. They follow the daily scheme of intentions suggested by the Abbé Paul Couturier.
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Each year, the World Council of Churches and the Pontifical Council for Promoting the Unity of Christians choose a special theme for the Week, reflecting the progress towards Unity in a particular part of the world and develop special resources for observing this liturgically. The following prayers endeavour to supplement the main resources and to cultivate love for Prayer for Christian Unity at the daily, parish level, as well as for personal devotion.
The wording can be adapted as circumstances require. They can also be used as a basis for daily intercessions during other weeks and octaves, as Couturier suggested in order to promote prayer for Unity as frequently and fervently as possible, such as in Holy Week, Easter Week, between Ascension and Pentecost, or from Pentecost to Trinity Sunday, or at any other time judged to be appropriate.
January 18
Father, your Son prayed on the night before he died,
that we his disciples might be one
as the Father and the Son are one:
today we pray for the Unity of all Christians.
Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church;
and grant us the peace and unity which is according to Christ's will.
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
January 19
Theme: The Sanctification of Catholics
Father, we pray for the Unity of Christians.
Forgive us the sin which separates us and maintains divisions among Christians.
May your Spirit penetrate all our souls and draw us closer to Christ in holiness.
Today we pray for all Catholic Christians.
Give us with them an ever greater holiness, and lead us along your path
which leads us all to unity in the love and truth of Christ.
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
January 20
Theme: The Sanctification of Orthodox Christians
Father, we pray for the Unity of Christians.
Forgive us the sin which separates us and maintains divisions among Christians.
May your Spirit penetrate all our souls and draw us closer to Christ in holiness.
Today we pray for all Orthodox Christians.
Give us with them an ever greater holiness, and lead us along your path
which leads us all to unity in the love and truth of Christ.
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
January 21
Theme: The Sanctification of Anglican Christians
Father, we pray for the Unity of Christians.
Forgive us the sin which separates us and maintains divisions among Christians.
May your Spirit penetrate all our souls and draw us closer to Christ in holiness.
Today we pray for all Anglican Christians.
Give us with them an ever greater holiness, and lead us along your path
which leads us all to unity in the love and truth of Christ.
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
January 22
Theme: The Sanctification of all Protestant Christians
Father, we pray for the Unity of Christians.
Forgive us the sin which separates us and maintains divisions among Christians.
May your Spirit penetrate all our souls and draw us closer to Christ in holiness.
Today we pray for all Protestant Christians.
Give us with them an ever greater holiness, and lead us along your path
which leads us all to unity in the love and truth of Christ.
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
January 23
Theme: The Sanctification of all Jews
Father, we pray for the Unity of Christians.
Forgive us the sin which separates us and maintains divisions among Christians.
May your Spirit penetrate all our souls and draw us closer to Christ in holiness.
Give us an ever greater holiness, and lead us along your path
which leads us all to unity in the love and truth of Christ.
We pray too for the Jewish people, that they may continue with us
to grow in the love of your name and arrive at the fulness of redemption.
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
January 24
Theme: The Sanctification of all other non-Christians
Father, we pray for the Unity of Christians.
Forgive us the sin which separates us and maintains divisions among Christians.
May your Spirit penetrate all our souls and draw us closer to Christ in holiness.
Give us an ever greater holiness, and lead us along your path
which leads us all to unity in the love and truth of Christ.
We pray too for the people of Islam and those who believe in other faiths.
May we and they be enlightened by your Spirit,
walk before you in sincerity of heart, become more perfect witnesses of your love
and advance on the way to salvation.
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
January 25
Theme: Unity of all humanity in the charity and truth of Christ
Father, we pray for the Unity of Christians.
Forgive us the sin which separates us, and maintains divisions among Christians.
May your Spirit penetrate all our souls and draw us closer to Christ in holiness.
Today we pray for the unity of all humanity in the charity and truth of Christ.
Give all human beings, your children, an ever greater holiness, and lead us along your path,
which leads us all to unity in the love and truth of Christ.
Lord in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
The Week of Prayer for the Unity of Christians
A Couturier Tract for the Week of Prayer - I - The Problem for Unity
II - Intentions | III - Litany & Prayers
Daily Intercessions for Mass and Divine Office