Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Quick Facts

2023 DateJanuary 18, 2023
2024 DateJanuary 18, 2024
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity History

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity encourages the act of praying to unite all Christians in Canada. Christians reflect on scripture and participate in organized church services on this day. According to thecanadaguide.com, there are over 20 million Christians in Canada and about 60% of them claim the religion as their faith.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was proposed in 1908 by Reverend Paul Watson as the Church Unity Octave. In 1935, Abbé Paul Couturier of France changed the name to Universal Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. In the northern hemisphere, this week of prayer is observed annually between January 18th and January 25th. In the southern hemisphere, it is typically observed during the Pentecost season.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Facts & Quotes

  • The theme for Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in 2022 was We saw the star in the East, and we came to worship him (cf. Matthew 2:2).
  • There are over 20 million Christians in Canada according to thecanadaguide.com. That's more than 60% of the population.
  • The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is held on January 18th. This is also the date of the Feast of the Confession of Saint Peter. Here the Apostle Peter proclaimed to Jesus, you are the Christ, the Son of the living God. The Week of Prayer concludes on January 25th, the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul. This date acknowledges the conversion of Saint Paul.
  • As we reflect on Paul's teaching during this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, may we be confirmed, together with all Christ's followers, in our pursuit of holiness and fidelity to the Lord's will - Pope Francis, Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (2014)

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Top Events and Things to Do

  • Attend church or service. Use this week to reflect and pray.
  • Each of the 8 days of the Week of Prayer is accompanied by a prayer. Browse these biblical reflections and discuss their significance:
    1) You did not choose me but I chose you (John 15:16a)
    2) Abide in me as I abide in you (John 15:4a)
    3) Love one another as I have loved you (John 15:12b)
    4) I do not call you servants any longer… but I have called you friends (John 15:15)
    5) You have already been pruned by the word (John 15:3))
    6) Go and bear fruit, fruit that will last (John 15:16b)
    7) I am the vine, you are the branches (John 15:5a)
    8) So that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete (John 15:11)
  • View the past year's highlights of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity - References and Related Sites

thecanadaguide.com: Christians in Canada Stats
www.atonementfriars.org: Week of Prayer Theme 2022

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