Materials for the 2027 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, including the Daily Scripture & Prayer Guide, the Ecumenical Celebration of the Word of God, prayer cards, posters, and more, are now available through our online order form.
Day 1 – The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
Scripture Readings
Isaiah 40:9-11
Psalm 23
1 Peter 5:1-7
John 10:7-14
Meditation
The psalmist is quietly confident that the Lord will provide all that is needed for the security of those who are faithful to him. Even in the darkest times, God will be there. It is likely that we all know people who have been through the most difficult of times, and yet have remained strong in their faith and similarly confident in the love and provision of God. The other readings use the image of the caring shepherd in a variety of ways, with the Gospel telling of the Good Shepherd, Jesus himself, who will make the ultimate sacrifice for his flock. In so doing, Christ unites us. The Shepherd says, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the Kingdom” (Luke 12:32). Think of a time when God accompanied you through a dark valley. How can you share this story with others and offer them encouragement?
Prayer
I bind unto myself today,
The power of God to hold and lead,
His eye to watch, his might to stay,
His ear to hearken to my need,
The wisdom of my God to teach,
His hand to guide, his shield to ward,
The word of God to give me speech
His heavenly host to be my guard.
From Saint Patrick’s Breastplate, versified by Cecil Frances Alexander.
Day 2 – Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.
Scripture Readings
Isaiah 40:1-8
Psalm 130:1-6
1 John 5:1-5
Mark 10:46-52
Meditation
The psalmist is feeling utterly forsaken and alone. Perhaps there is a need to be forgiven for a particular shortcoming or sin; perhaps he has been deserted by those he has loved and trusted. He is desolate, but he has faith enough to know that he may call on the only One able to help. This psalm is fundamentally one of hope. Even in the depths – of fear, of despair, of abandonment, of disunity. God hears our cries, because, with him, there is steadfast love. This is the position of the blind beggar at Jericho (Mark 10:46-52). In a helpless and seemingly hopeless situation, he calls “Have mercy on me!” And his faith in Jesus’ ability to help him is rewarded. The Psalmist is similarly clear that, from the depths, his cry will be heard. May we learn to feel the pain of Christian division so deeply in our souls, in the knowledge that if we cry out, we too, will be heard.
Prayer
Help me to journey beyond the familiar
and into the unknown.
Give me the faith to leave old ways
and break fresh ground with you.
Christ of the mysteries, I trust you
to be stronger than each storm within me.
I will trust in the darkness and know
that my times, even now, are in your hand.
Tune my spirit to the music of heaven,
and somehow, make my obedience count for you. Amen.
Inspired by the story of Saint Brendan the Navigator (c. 484-577).
Day 3 – From where will my help come?
Scripture Readings
Joshua 1:7-9
Psalm 121
Ephesians 6:10-17
Luke 12:4-7
Meditation
This is a Song of Ascent as pilgrims make their way up to Jerusalem. In the Hebrew tradition, the name El Shaddai is used for God, and is variously translated as “God of the mountains” or as “God Almighty”. God was to be met in the heights – think about Abraham at Mount Moriah, Moses at Mount Sinai, Elijah at Mount Carmel and Mount Horeb, Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration. The psalmist expects that, as he looks to the hills, he will find the help needed for the journey. The God who he believes to be powerfully present in the heights is God Almighty who never sleeps, who protects both in the heat of the day and the chill of the night and who will keep his people safe from evil. As we turn our eyes towards the future with anxiety about increased polarization, violence and division, both in society and in our churches, this psalm invites us to seek help from the Lord.
Prayer
Be thou a bright flame before me;
Be thou a guiding star above me;
Be thou a smooth path below me;
Be thou a kindly Shepherd behind me
Today, tonight and for evermore. Amen.
Attributed to Saint Columba (521-597).
Day 4 – The Lord surrounds his people.
Scripture Readings
Isaiah 40:25-31
Psalm 125:1-4
Philippians 1:12-18
Matthew 6:25-33
Meditation
Here again, mountains are seen as places where God is particularly present for God’s people, offering security and peace of mind. In the Gospel reading, Jesus urges his disciples not to worry – “look about you,” he suggests, “and see how God is providing for life all around you!” (Mt 6:25-33) Worry is one of the most paralyzing and debilitating of emotions and, most of us are prey to it at some time or another. The prophet Isaiah notes that even the young and strong may have issues, but those who trust in God will be strengthened. Note his wonderful image of eagles soaring effortlessly on the thermal air currents over the land below (Is 40:25-31). Paul, writing from prison (Phil 1:12-18), sees his trials as opportunity – he is upheld by the God he serves. The Lord surrounds his people and unity is his gift.
Prayer
Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger. Amen.
From Saint Patrick’s Breastplate, versified by Cecil Frances Alexander.
Day 5 – The Lord Almighty is with us.
Scripture Readings
Ezekiel 47:1-12
Psalm 46
Revelation 22:1-5
Matthew 14:22-31
Meditation
In times of difficulty, especially among our friends, we tend to have a feeling that we must “do” something, that action is required, that we can improve the situation. However, very often, the better thing is to stop and simply to “be there”, to be “present” with those who are under pressure. It can be incredibly difficult to stop – simply because we feel so helpless and inadequate. This sounds like a contradiction in terms, but is it really? The most important thing is that God is present with us. The Psalmist paints a vivid picture of a world in turmoil. The images of earthquake and flood are all-too familiar today. That chaos is reflected in the political turmoil of the twenty-first century. Nevertheless, God is with us, a perennial source of gladness. Christians are empowered by Jesus to model unity in this fractured world.
Prayer
Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Be all else but naught to me, save that thou art.
Be thou my best thought in the day and the night;
Both waking and sleeping, thy presence my light.
Be thou my wisdom, be thou my true word;
Be thou ever with me, and I with thee, Lord.
Be thou my great Father, thy child let me be;
Be thou in me dwelling, and I one with thee.
Attributed to Saint Dallan Forgaill (c. 530–598).
Day 6 – The Lord has done great things for us.
Scripture Readings
Isaiah 35:5-7
Psalm 126
1 Peter 3:8-16a
Matthew 5:43-48
Meditation
The Negeb (Negev) is a very arid region of the Judean desert, and for most of the year, the watercourses to which the Psalmist refers are completely dried up, empty channels. However, when the rain does come, flowing water fills these channels with surprising speed, offering life to plants and animals alike, and the desert rejoices and blossoms (cf. Isaiah 35.6)! This is an amazing image for how things can change dramatically for the better in a short time – the Lord indeed does great things for his people. It is good to remember and give thanks for all that God has already done for us along the path to unity.
Prayer
We will never stop giving thanks to you, O God,
who have kept us faithful in times of temptation.
You have defended us in all our difficulties.
Who are we, Lord, or what is our calling,
that you have worked with us with such divine presence?
We will praise and magnify your name among the nations,
not only in good times but in the difficult times too,
for you have shown us that we can put our trust in you without wavering.
You are the Holy One, world without end. Amen.
Adapted from the Confessio of Saint Patrick.
Day 7 – Let us go to the house of the Lord.
Scripture Readings
Isaiah 2:1-4
Psalm 122
Ephesians 4:1-6
John 14:27-31
Meditation
The Psalmist sees the city of Jerusalem and the Temple within the city imagining the tortuous journey up the steep hill until finally standing in the Temple court. He has come with those from many places to worship together. The Psalmist prays for peace for those around him, all gathered in the name of the Lord. Jesus sent his disciples from Jerusalem “to Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth” (Acts1:8), bearing the gospel of peace. The other readings, in varying ways, speak of what it means to walk in the light of the Lord and to maintain the bond of peace and to know for ourselves that peace which is Jesus’ prayer for us. What is the significance of worshipping our God together as Christians of different traditions? How challenging is it for me/our congregation to cross the threshold of the church of a different Christian community?
Prayer
Kindle in our hearts, O God,
The flame of that love which never ceases,
That it may burn in us, giving light to others.
May we shine forever in thy holy temple,
Set on fire with thy eternal light,
Even thy son, Jesus Christ,
Our Savior and Redeemer. Amen.
Attributed to Saint Columba (521-597).
Day 8 – How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!
Scripture Readings
Genesis 50:15-21
Psalm 133
Philippians 4:2-7
John 15:12-17
Meditation
The psalmist reflects on how very good it is when we can be at one with each other. And this is not easily achieved. Jesus needed to still the arguing of his disciples (Lk 22:24-26), Paul had to reprimand the Christians in Corinth (1 Cor 3:3-9; 11:17-22) and to encourage others to be “of the same mind in the Lord” (Phil 4:2). Joseph’s incredible kindness to the brothers who had sold him into captivity is exemplary, and hugely challenging! (Gen 42:25) Yet Jesus’ command is that we love one another, without distinction of class, status, race or tongue, living together in unity and mutual respect. “How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity”! During this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, how might we have a renewed sense of this? How might we be ambassadors of togetherness in the world today?
Prayer
The sun which we see rising for us each day at your command, O Christ,
will not endure and its splendor will not shine forever.
But you, Lord Christ, are the true Sun,
the Light that will never perish, whom we adore.
We rejoice in the knowledge that we will rise again
in the radiance of your glory, O bright heaven’s Son,
who abide with the Father and the Holy Spirit,
now and for all the ages of ages. Amen.
Adapted from the Confessio of Saint Patrick