The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has a history of over 100 years , in which Christians around the world have taken part in an octave of prayer for visible Christian unity. By annually observing the WPCU, from 18 – 25 January, Christians move toward the fulfillment of Jesus’ prayer at the Last Supper “that they all may be one.” (cf. John 17:21)
Texts are published by the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and the World Council of Churches, through the WCC’s Commission on Faith and Order.
The theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in 2023 was selected by the Minnesota Council of Churches, USA in the aftermath of the extrajudicial killing of George Floyd and the trial of the police officer responsible for his death. These events brought anguish, but also time for the Christian communities to contemplate ways in which they may be complicit in racial injustice. Christian unity is needed as a source of reconciliation and unity.
The theme, taken from the first chapter of the Book of Isaiah, reflects his concern for the oppressed who suffer from injustice and inequality fed by hypocrisy that leads to disunity. He teaches that God requires righteousness and justice from all of us, to create the peace and unity that God desires. These virtues originate in God’s love for all, and racism runs counter to this vision. Isaiah’s challenge to do good and seek justice together applies equally to us today.
The following reflections are from the the text for 2023. Links will be updated daily.
18 January 2023 DAY 1: Learning to do the right thing
19 January 2023 DAY 2: When justice is done…
20 January 2023 DAY 3: Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly
21 January 2023 DAY 4: Look, the tears of the oppressed
22 January 2023 DAY 5: Singing the Lord’s song as strangers in the land
23 January 2023 DAY 6: Just as you did it to one of the least of these…you did it to me
24 January 2023 DAY 7: ‘What is now does not have to be’
25 January 2023 DAY 8: The justice that restores communion