Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2016

1. Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2016

2. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (January 18-25) was first celebrated in 1908. These eight days (octave) have been set aside each year so that Christians the world over may share the prayer of Jesus: that all may be one... that the world may believe (John 17:21).

3. Biblical Text for 20161Peter 2: 9-10 ‘But you are God’s own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into his own marvellous light. Once you were not God’s people, but now you are his people; once you did not know God’s mercy, but now you have received his mercy.’ This year’s prayers, readings , and reflections for Christian Unity Week were put together by the Christians of Latvia.

4. Latvia Riga War Cemetery Riga, the capital of Latvia

5. Background The oldest baptismal font in Latvia dates from the time of the great evangeliser of Latvia, St Meinhard. It was originally located in his Cathedral in Ikšķile. Today it stands at the very centre of the Lutheran Cathedral in the country’s capital, Rīga. The placement of the font so near to the Cathedral’s pulpit speaks of the relationship between baptism and proclamation, and the calling shared by all the baptised to proclaim the mighty acts of the Lord.

6. Symbols • The ecumenical prayer service uses the symbols of a Bible, a lighted candle and salt to express visually the mighty acts that we are called, as baptised Christians, to proclaim to the world. • Salt and light are images that Jesus uses in the Sermon on the Mount . They describe our Christian identity. • Jesus urges us to be the salt of the earth …a light to the world.

7. Christians live this baptismal calling and bear witness to God’s mighty acts in a variety of ways: Healing wounds:Wars, conflicts and abuses have wounded the emotional and relational lives of the people of Latvia and many other countries. God’s grace helps us to seek forgiveness for the obstacles which prevent reconciliation and healing, to receive mercy, and to grow in holiness. Searching for truth and unity: Awareness of our common identity in Christ calls us to work towards answering the questions that still divide us as Christians. We are called, like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, to share our experiences and so discover, that in our common pilgrimage, Jesus Christ is among us. An Active Commitment to Human Dignity: Christians who have been brought out of darkness into the marvellous light of the Kingdom recognise the extraordinary dignity of all human life. Through common social and charitable projects we reach out to the poor, the needy, those struggling with addiction and the marginalised.

8. Introductory Prayer As we gather together in this week of prayer for Christian unity, we thank God for our Christian dignity and vocation, described in the words of St. Peter: “You are God’s own people, chosen to proclaim the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into his own marvellous light”. We pray this year with the Christians of Latvia - who have prepared this year’s material - in the hope that we may grow in communion with our Lord Jesus Christ and with all our brothers and sisters aspiring to unity.

9. Prayer Prayer Lord Jesus, Lord of joy, Lord Jesus, Lord of joy, the howls of pain the howls of pain the world craves good news; the world craves good news; the cries of despair, the cries of despair, Lord Jesus, Lord of joy, the world craves good news; the world craves your love and joy. Fill us with that love and joy. Help us to see the plight of others, to hear the sighs of need, the cries of pain and despair, and to respond, always, in the love and joy of you, our Saviour and our Lord. Amen the world craves your love and joy. the world craves your love and joy. and to respond, always, and to respond, always, in the love and joy of you, in the love and joy of you, Fill us with that love and joy. Fill us with that love and joy. our Saviour and o our Saviour and o Help us to see the plight of others, Help us to see the plight of others, to hear the sighs of need, to hear the sighs of need,

10. Prayers of Intercession Let us pray for our spiritual leaders and church authorities, that the Spirit may continue to enlighten them and grant them the grace to work in harmony, joy and love. Lord, hear our prayer Let us pray for all civil authorities. Lord, grant that they may work towards justice and peace, and give them the wisdom to attend to the needs of all, especially the most vulnerable. Lord, hear our prayer

11. Prayers of Intercession Let us pray for our local Christian communities, our churches and ecumenical groups. Lord, forgive us when we are indifferent to each other, and bring your healing to the wounds and divisions that keep us apart. Lord, hear our prayer Let us pray for a deeper appreciation of our common baptism into the one body of Christ. Lord, sustain each of us and our communities as we continue on the path towards the unity you desire for all your disciples. Lord, hear our prayer

12. Concluding Prayer Lord Jesus Christ, you call us together in faith and love. Breathe again the new life of your Holy Spirit among us, that we may hear your Holy Word, pray in your name, seek unity among Christians and share more fully in your way of life. God of all nations, Lord of life, we thank you for the gift of life. We rejoice at your promise of Resurrection. We acknowledge your victory over death. Grant us the courage to challenge systems of death and despair. Hear us, and help us as we search for abundant life , now and forever. Amen.