Council of Churches of WA

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2022

“We have seen his star in the East and come to worship him” Mt 2:2

The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Faith Order Commission of the World Council of Churches  had entrusted the Middle East Council of Churches based in Beirut, Lebanon, with the task of choosing the theme and preparing draft texts for the Week of Prayer 2022. They chose the theme, “We have seen his star in the East and have come to pay homage to him” (Mt 2:2). More than ever, in these difficult times, we need a light that shines in the darkness and that light, Christians proclaim, has been manifested in Jesus Christ.

In a region of the world where human rights are habitually trampled underfoot by unjust political and economic interests, in the face of an unprecedented international health crisis and bearing the human and material consequences of the serious explosion that devastated Beirut on August 4, 2020, the local ecumenical group nevertheless made every effort to present the results of its work by participating in the online meetings. We thank them wholeheartedly and pray that greater unity among Christians in the Middle East and around the world may contribute to a more dignified, just and peaceful life for all men and women in our time and in the times to come.

The Christians of the Middle East offer these resources for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity conscious that the world shares many of the travails and difficulties that they experience, and yearns for a light to lead the way to the Saviour who can overcome darkness. The COVID-19 global pandemic, the ensuing economic crisis, and the failure of political, economic and social structures to protect the weakest and most vulnerable, have underlined the global need for a light to shine in the darkness. The star that shone in the east, the Middle East, two thousand years ago still calls us to the manger, to where Christ is born. It draws us to where the Spirit of God is alive and active, to the reality of our baptism, and to the transformation of our hearts.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2022 in Southern Hemisphere usually takes place the week leading up to Pentecost Sunday (based on the western calendar).   We have compiled a series of reflective videos from the resources provided by Eastern Council of Churches, Lebanon and the World Council of Churches. 

Each day we will post a link for the 8 days of reflections as well as on our FACEBOOK  and TWITTER page. Click on the link below and it will take you to a reflection video on our YOUTUBE channel. Thank you to everyone who contributed toward making these videos. We hope you enjoy listening to the reflections and feel free to share with family, friends, members of your church.

• Day 1:  Raise us up and draw us to your perfect light 
• Day 2:  Humble leadership breaks down walls and builds up with love
• Day 3:  The presence of Christ, turning the world upside down
• Day 4:  Though small and suffering, we lack nothing
• Day 5:  Guided by one Lord
• Day 6:  Gathered in worship around the One Lord
• Day 7:  The gifts of communion
• Day 8:  Beyond the familiar routes of separation to God’s new paths