WCC News: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2025 invites reflection on common faith of Christians

As the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity takes place from 18-25 January, churches and Christian communities worldwide are invited to use a variety of resources prepared in seven languages, including a child-friendly version and the reading plan on the YouVersion’s Bible App. Resources for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2025 are available also on the Bible App by YouVersion, offering a daily Bible reading plan, prayers, and questions for reflection. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 16 January 2025 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity resources are available in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, and Arabic. For the commemoration in 2025, a child-friendly version of the resource entitled “Praying for Togetherness to a God of Togetherness” is prepared for households, schools, and church services where all ages are present. Enabling millions of Christians around the world to join the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, its resources are available also on the Bible App by YouVersion, offering a daily Bible reading plan, prayers, and questions for reflection. In order to pray together for unity among churches throughout the year, the prayers and reflections for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2025 were prepared by the brothers and sisters of the monastic community of Bose in northern Italy.The resources are jointly published by the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and the World Council of Churches.  The guiding biblical text for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2025 comes from John 11:17-27. The theme for the week, “Do you believe this?” (v. 26), takes its cue from the dialogue between Jesus and Martha when Jesus visited the home of Martha and Mary in Bethany following the death of their brother Lazarus. The year 2025 marks the 1700th anniversary of the first Christian Ecumenical Council, held in Nicaea, near Constantinople in 325 CE. This commemoration provides a unique opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the common faith of Christians, as expressed in the Nicene Creed, which traces its origins to the Council of Nicaea.  The Council of Nicaea led to the adoption of the Nicene Creed as an expression of the common faith of Christians. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2025 offers an invitation to draw on this shared heritage and to enter more deeply into the faith that unites all Christians. The traditional period in the northern hemisphere for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is 18-25 January. In the southern hemisphere churches often find other days to celebrate the Week of Prayer, for example around Pentecost, which is also a symbolic date for the unity of the church. Resources for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2025 Reading plan on the Youversion Bible app Social media cards and photos The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2025: Resource for all ages  Learn more about the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

Prayers for Our Community, Our Nation and Our World

We can offer specific daily prayers for our community, nation and world. Between Monday, January 20 and Sunday, January 26, we'll lay before God the needs listed below.

• Monday, January 20, 2025 - That our new president accepts that great leaders are servants. 
• Tuesday, January 21, 2025 - That families read their Bible and attend worship services together.
• Wednesday, January 22, 2025 - That our judges would value the principles reflected in the Old and New Testaments.
• Thursday, January 23, 2025 - That doctors and nurses communicate compassion and concern to their patients. 
• Friday, January 24, 2025 - That we respect and honor their parents and raise their children with compassion.
• Saturday, January 25, 2025 - That we all recognize that our actions impact others.
• Sunday, January 26, 2025 - That the world unites in care for those affected by the conflict in Ukraine.

The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service - Sunday, January 12, 2025

Sligo Presbyterian Church: Our Congregation and Community: The Sligo Presbyterian Church Celebration Service ...: Depending on your experience, you may wonder if healthy relationships are even possible. There’s a lot of brokenness in the world; therefore...

Sunday's Message - Keys to Healthy Relationships: Honesty

Sligo Presbyterian Church: Our Congregation and Community: Sunday's Message - Keys to Healthy Relationships: ...: Depending on your experience, you may wonder if healthy relationships are even possible. There’s a lot of brokenness in the world; therefore...

Looking into the lectionary - A prayer for Los Angeles

January 26, 2024 Third Sunday after the Epiphany Luke 4:14-21 “Start as you mean to go on.” I often think of this old adage while beginning a new ministry. Starting as I intend to go on means the way I conduct myself in the beginning sets the groundwork for future actions — good or bad habits follow initial motive. In our passage from Luke’s Gospel, Jesus begins his ministry as he means to go on — with the power of the Spirit. In these first few chapters of Luke, Jesus’ possession of the Spirit is mentioned three times (Luke 3:22 and twice in Luke 4:1). In today’s reading, we learn it is the Spirit that moves Jesus to go to Galilee and begin his ministry. Once in Galilee, Jesus goes to the synagogues and receives praise for his Spirit-filled teaching. But then he turns to Nazareth, his hometown, where he begins his ministry by reading Isaiah, connecting his work with the prophets who have gone before. Jesus is inaugurating his ministry. It is a beginning, but it is also a fulfillment of God’s salvific work. What must it have been like to hear Jesus say those words, “the Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor”? Jesus starts as he means to go on — by declaring that he is with and for the poor, the blind, and the oppressed. He will bring good news and release and recovery. He comes to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. And when will these wonderful things happen? Now. They happen even as the people of Nazareth hear those words, because Jesus is with them. Jesus is the fulfillment of those words. Just on the other side of this pericope, we learn that Jesus’ words are met with amazement — and suspicion. The people of Nazareth, his people, challenge Jesus and become enraged when he doubles-down on the truth of who and what he is. Several years ago, it seemed every church was pondering its mission statement.  ... Thank you to this week's writer Tara W. Bulger.  Read the rest of the commentary on the website. Order of worship — January 26, 2025, by Tara W. Bulger A prayer for Los Angeles by Haley Ballast My God, my king (January 26, 2025) by Julia Boyce Orthodoxy, not heresy, is the root problem of Christian nationalism by David W. Congdon Want the worship resources for January 19, 2024? You can find them here. Did you know loneliness is America’s most significant health problem, according to Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy in 2022? Explore biblical wisdom and practical steps to cultivate meaningful friendships with this “Friendship” Bible study by Katy Shevel. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... Crossing the liminal together: The art of public theology By the power of the Holy Spirit, our hearts are joined in one holy unity. — Jennifer Frayer Griggs Draw Close: A Creative Companion for Lent "Draw Close" by Stephanie B. Dunn is an engaging Lenten guide blending prayer, reflection, and creative practices for spiritual renewal, writes Amy Pagliarella. Richard Hays, influential scholar who changed his mind on same-sex marriage, has died The renowned New Testament scholar and former dean of Duke Divinity School described his most recent book as an act of repentance for the way his work had been used to harm LGBTQ people and to divide Christians. — Bob Smietana Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary receives prestigious $5M Lilly Endowment Inc. grant for Black church rural and small towns ministry Initiative "We look forward to building a network of Black faith leaders and congregations who learn, grow, and strengthen their leadership while addressing the unique realities facing rural and small-town Black faith communities," says Perzavia Praylow. Trump Bible gets new ‘Inauguration Day Edition’ just in time for Jan. 6 A new ad urges supporters to buy a Bible commemorating Trump's return to the White House. The new edition of the God Bless the USA Bible features Trump's name on the cover and will be on sale until Jan. 19. —  Bob Smietana Staying, leaving and the blessings of Orpah and Ruth Ruth stayed. Orpah left. Both were blessed. Choosing the right ending requires courage, faith and grace, writes Katy Shevel.

WCC NEWS: As fires devastate California, WCC extends prayers, condolences

As wildfires destroyed thousands of structures in the Los Angeles area of California (USA), killing 10 people, and causing nearly 200,000 residents to evacuate, World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay extended condolences to affected communities.  Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 10 January 2025 "The news of these fires has deeply saddened us, and our thoughts and prayers are with the people affected by this ongoing disaster which has destroyed also churches, synagogues, and schools,” said Pillay. “Amid feelings of helplessness, we assure you that you are not alone. May you draw strength from God and from all who are praying for you, and for those working tirelessly to respond and to stem the devastation. May strength and peace be given to you during this time and as you recover from this disaster when the fires are put out.”  See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

GreenFaith - Prayers for Those Suffering from Wildfires

 

Prayers for those Suffering from Wildfires

Each of the prayers below is structured to include components common to prayers from diverse religious and spiritual traditions - references to sacred writings, an opening invocation, a supplication for mercy and comfort, an acknowledgement of responsibility, a call for strength, accountability and justice, a dedication or merit, and a traditional closing. We have assembled these quickly and welcome feedback on how to improve them. And, please send me your prayers, sermons, and spoken teachings to amy@greenfaith.org if you are willing to share them for possible use with attribution. We would love to hear from you.

Rev. Amy Brooks Paradise
GreenFaith US Coordinator

A Buddhist Prayer

May all beings be free from suffering. May all beings dwell in peace. May the fires of greed, hatred, and delusion be extinguished. May the earth be restored to balance and harmony.

We recognize that all beings are interconnected, as taught by the Buddha: "All living beings are heirs to their karma, born of their karma, related to their karma, supported by their karma" (Anguttara Nikaya 3:33). We acknowledge the karma of humanity's actions—the exploitation of the earth, the pollution of the air, and the disruption of nature's balance—that have contributed to the wildfires devastating so many lives.

May those affected by the wildfires find safety, shelter, and solace. May those who have lost their homes, livelihoods, and loved ones be comforted and supported. May the forests, animals, and all beings harmed by the flames find renewal and healing. May the firefighters and helpers be protected and strengthened in their efforts to serve others.

We reflect on the words of the Buddha: "With mindfulness, strive on to abandon what is unwholesome and cultivate what is wholesome" (Dhammapada 183). We acknowledge the unwholesome actions of greed, carelessness, and apathy perpetuated by the fossil fuel industry, governments, and financial institutions that contribute to the climate crisis. We take responsibility for our individual and collective roles in this suffering and commit to cultivating wholesome actions to restore harmony.

May wisdom and compassion arise in those who hold power, that they may act to protect the earth and its beings. May industries, governments, and financial institutions be guided by right intention and right action, ending practices that harm the earth. May all beings work together to address the root causes of climate change and protect the future of all life.

We dedicate the merit of this prayer to all beings: "Just as a mother would protect her only child with her life, even so, let one cultivate a boundless love toward all beings" (Metta Sutta, Sutta Nipata 1.8). May the merit of our thoughts, words, and actions contribute to the healing of the earth and the alleviation of suffering.

May all beings everywhere be free from suffering. May the causes of suffering be eliminated.  May the fires, both inner and outer, be extinguished. May peace, harmony, and balance be restored to the earth.

Buddham Saranam Gacchami. Dhammam Saranam Gacchami. Sangham Saranam Gacchami.
I take refuge in the Buddha. I take refuge in the Dharma. I take refuge in the Sangha.

May all beings be at peace.

A Christian Prayer

Gracious and loving God, Creator of heaven and earth,
We praise You for the beauty of Your creation and the goodness of Your works.
The earth is yours, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it (Psalm 24:1).
Yet, we cry out to You now as we witness its suffering and destruction.

Merciful God, we bring before You those whose lives have been upended by wildfires.
We pray for families who have lost homes, for communities displaced, and for the firefighters and responders risking their lives. Grant them Your peace, which surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:7). Be their refuge and strength, "an ever-present help in trouble" (Ps. 46:1).

Lord, we confess that we have not cared for Your creation as You commanded. In our greed and complacency, we have allowed the destruction of the earth to continue unchecked.
We grieve the actions of the fossil fuel industry, governments, and financial institutions that prioritize profit over Your creation, compounding the climate crisis and endangering lives.
Forgive us, O God, for the harm we have caused through neglect and complicity.

Holy God, "let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream" (Amos 5:24).
We pray for those in power to repent and act with integrity, addressing the root causes of climate change and protecting the vulnerable. Strengthen those who advocate for justice. Inspire us all to be stewards of Your earth, as You have commanded us.

Lord of all creation, bring healing to the land and to all who suffer. "Restore us, Lord God Almighty; make Your face shine on us, that we may be saved" (Ps. 80:19). Renew the hearts of Your people to care for the earth and one another, so that we live in harmony with Your will.

We trust in Your promises, O God, that "the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God" (Romans 8:21). May this hope sustain us as we work for a world that reflects Your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven.

Amen.

A Hindu Prayer

Om Shantih, Shantih, Shantih. O Creator of all, we bow to You, who is the Source of all life and the Protector of dharma. You are Prithvi Devi, the Earth Mother, and Agni, the Sacred Fire.
We honor You in all Your forms and seek Your blessings.

O Jagadamba, Divine Mother, we cry out to You for those who suffer due to the wildfires that scorch the earth. Grant them protection, strength, and peace. Heal the land, the forests, and all living beings harmed by this devastation. As the Rig Veda declares: "May we protect the Earth as she protects us" (Rig Veda 10.18.10). Let us not forsake our duty to uphold this sacred bond.

O Vishnu, Upholder of Balance, we acknowledge the adharma (injustice) we have committed in violating the harmony of nature. We grieve that the fossil fuel industry driven by greed, governments ignoring dharma, and financial powers fueling destruction have caused imbalance in Your creation. Forgive us, O Mahadeva, for our neglect of ahimsa (non-harm) and aparigraha (non-possessiveness). Guide us back to the path of righteousness.

O Saraswati, Goddess of Wisdom, bless us with the knowledge to act justly and responsibly. O Indra, Lord of the Skies, and Varuna, Guardian of the Waters, grant us rains to quench the flames and renew the earth. May all who hold power in their hands act with wisdom and compassion, remembering their duty to protect all beings.

O Devi Durga, grant us the courage to fight against the forces of greed and injustice. May we, as humanity, act in unity to restore the balance (rita) of nature, uphold dharma, and protect the future of all beings. "May all beings look at each other with the eyes of a friend" (Yajur Veda 36.18).

Om Dyauh Shantir Antariksham Shantih, Prithvi Shantir Apah Shantih, Oshadhayah Shantih, Vanaspatayah Shantih, Vishwedevah Shantih, Brahma Shantih, Sarvam Shantih, Shantireva Shantih, Saama Shantih Edhi.

(O Supreme Being, may there be peace in the skies, peace in the heavens, peace on the earth, peace in the waters, peace in the plants, and peace in the forests. May peace pervade all creation, and may we all find peace.)

Om Shantih, Shantih, Shantih.
Peace, peace, peace.

A Jewish Prayer

Baruch Atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melech HaOlam,
Blessed are You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the Universe,
Who creates the earth in its beauty and sustains life in every moment.

Elohei HaRachamim, God of Mercy,
We turn to You with broken hearts as wildfires rage across the land.
We pray for those who have lost their homes, their livelihoods, and their sense of safety.
Shelter them in Your peace, protect them with Your love, and guide them to places of refuge.
Send strength to those who fight the flames and heal those who are injured.

Ribbono Shel Olam, Master of the Universe,
We confess our failure to care for the earth as You have commanded.
As it is written: "Adonai God took the human and placed them in the Garden of Eden to till it and to guard it" (Genesis 2:15). But we have not guarded it. Greedy fossil fuel companies, negligent governments, and complicit financial institutions have exploited Your creation, leading to destruction and imbalance. Forgive us, O Compassionate One, for the harm we have allowed and caused.

Adonai Tzidkeinu, God of Justice, we pray for courage to hold accountable those who prioritize profit over life. Let justice flow like water and righteousness like an unfailing stream (Amos 5:24). Guide the leaders of the world to act with wisdom and righteousness, to protect the vulnerable, and to restore the balance of creation.

Rofeh Chol Basar, Healer of All Flesh, heal the land scorched by fire, renew the forests, and restore life to the earth. As it is written: "You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing" (Psalm 145:16). Grant us the resolve to mend our ways, to care for the earth and its creatures with love and reverence.

Oseh Shalom Bimromav, Hu Ya’aseh Shalom Aleinu V’al Kol Yoshev Tevel.
May the One who makes peace in the heavens make peace for us and for all who dwell on earth.

Baruch Atah Adonai, HaTov V’HaMeitiv, Blessed are You, Adonai, Who is good and does good.

Amen.

A Muslim Prayer

Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem.
In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Worlds, the Sustainer of all creation, Who causes the winds to blow and the rain to descend, Who grants life to the earth after its death.

Ya Allah, You are As-Salaam, the Source of Peace, and we seek Your peace and protection. We turn to You in humility and desperation for those affected by the raging wildfires, who face loss, fear, and suffering. Grant them safety and shelter, O Allah, and comfort their hearts. Heal their wounds and replace their losses with Your infinite mercy.

"Do you not see that Allah has subjected to you all that is in the heavens and the earth and has completed His favors upon you, both apparent and hidden?" (Qur'an 31:20)
O Allah, we acknowledge our role as stewards (khalifah) of the earth. Yet, we also recognize the irresponsibility of powerful industries and institutions that have violated this trust.

O Allah, we grieve that the fossil fuel industry, driven by insatiable greed, continues to exploit and destroy the earth, causing the fires that devastate Your creation. We condemn the inaction of governments and financial institutions that prioritize profit over justice and life itself, enabling this destruction. Let us not be among those who "spread corruption on the earth after it has been set in order" (Qur'an 7:56).

O Allah, we have sinned in our silence and complicity. Forgive us for our failure to hold these actors accountable and to stand firm for justice. Strengthen us to resist the forces of oppression and corruption. Inspire us to work for a world that reflects Your balance (mizan), where all creation can flourish.

Ya Rabb al-Alameen, awaken the hearts of those in power to the destruction they cause, and guide them to repentance and change. Bless the efforts of all who fight for justice, who challenge the systems of oppression, and who care for those suffering. Unite us in compassion, courage, and perseverance to bring about a world that honors Your trust.

Subhana Rabbika Rabbil-‘izzati ‘amma yasifoon, wa salaamun ‘ala al-mursaleen, wal-hamdu lillahi Rabbil-‘alameen.
Glory be to Your Lord, the Lord of Honor, above what they describe. And peace be upon the messengers. And praise be to Allah, the Lord of all worlds.

Ameen, ya Rabb al-Alameen.

A Unitarian Universalist Prayer

Spirit of Life, Source of All, we come together as one community, acknowledging the sacred interconnected web of all existence. We hold in our hearts all beings and the earth itself, knowing that the suffering caused by wildfires is a shared burden and responsibility.

We lift up those who are directly affected by the flames—families who have lost their homes, communities displaced, and all living beings in the forests and ecosystems ravaged by fire. We also name the deeper fires—the greed, apathy, and systemic injustices that have fueled the climate crisis. We acknowledge that the fossil fuel industry, governments, and financial institutions have prioritized profit over the well-being of the planet. We accept our collective responsibility to challenge these systems and act for justice.

Spirit of Love, wrap those who suffer in the warmth of compassion and community. May those who have been displaced find shelter, safety, and solace. May the helpers—the firefighters, first responders, and volunteers—find strength and protection as they serve others. May the earth itself find renewal, and may we work to restore its balance and health.

We are reminded of our shared commitment to justice, equity, and compassion in human relations, and to respect for the interdependent web of all existence. Let us not remain silent in the face of systems that harm the earth and its people. May those in positions of power act with courage and responsibility to address the climate crisis. May we, as individuals and as a global community, take bold and collective action to create a sustainable future.

We affirm the words of Unitarian Universalist theologian James Luther Adams: "The prophetic liberal church is the church that remembers that the resources of the Spirit are available to us to create justice and community." May we draw on these spiritual resources to act with hope, determination, and love for the earth and its people.

We dedicate ourselves to the work of healing the planet, advocating for justice, and building a world where all can thrive. We commit to transforming our grief into action, our anger into advocacy, and our hope into tangible change.

May we move forward with hearts open and hands ready to serve. May we hold fast to our principles, grounded in love and respect for all beings and the earth. And may we create a world that reflects the beauty, balance, and justice we dream of.

So may it be. Amen.