WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY 2009

24 MAY - 31 MAY 2009

Australian Worship resources
for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and for use throughout 2009
(for more information contact Jonathan Inkpin on (02) 9299 2215 jinkpin@ncca.org.au

nb. resources for the partly overlapping Week of Prayer for Reconciliation can be found on the NATSIEC webpages at www.ncca.org.au/natsiec

“That they may become one in your hand”  (Ezekiel 37:17)

In 2009 (which is also the UN Year of Reconciliation), the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity overlaps with the Week of Prayer for Reconciliation.  Over 11 days - May 24 to June 3 - including the great feast of Pentecost on May 31 - we therefore have a wonderful opportunity to renew and deepen our relationships in the one God in whom we share together through Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.  This year's theme appropriately is 'That they may become one in your hand (Ezekiel 37:17) and a variety of resources and links will be found below to assist Australians in joining more effectively in that great wave of prayer begun by Jesus himself when he prayed 'that they may all be one... so that the world may believe' (John 17:21).

The 2009 resources, adapted for use in Australia, are grounded in the experience of the churches in in Korea. In their context of national division the churches have turned for inspiration to the prophet Ezekiel, who also lived in a tragically divided nation and longed for the unity of his people.  The resources therefore offer fresh encouragement to churches in Australia to worship together locally, to witness to their unity in Christ, and to pray and act for the greater visible expression of that unity, not least in the context of our journey towards national Reconciliation.  Link them into daily and weekly prayers, and with other special occasions (such as the World Day of Prayer on March 6 and National Day of Thanksgiving on May 30) and such prayer will be indeed strengthen God's hand for unity.  For the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in 2009  is also an opportunity to reflect further on the vital importance of what is sometimes called 'spiritual ecumenism', the foundation of all Christian work for reconciliation and unity.   Such a prayer base can further strengthen Christian commitment to seeking peace and reconciliation for all in the worldwide Decade to Overcome Violence.

NCCA RESOURCES (click on the underlined blue links to download)

Information for weekly Church Bulletins
and Prayers for Congregations to use on Sunday 24 and/or 31 May

• A shorter (for congregational use) Order of Worship in PDF format  or in Word Format

• A Powerpoint outline of the shorter (for congregational use) Order of Worship

• A full Order of Worship (with guidelines and suggestions for leaders of worship) in PDF Format or in Word Format 

• Daily Prayers and Reflections in PDF Format:
full 8 Days Daily Prayer & Reflections
Day 1 (May 24)   Day 2 (May 25)   Day 3 (May 26)  Day 4 (May 27)
Day 5 (May 28)   Day 6 (May 29)   Day 7 (May 30) 
Day 8 (May 31 - Pentecost Sunday)

Printed copies of the above resources and

• A Poster (in colour) for local advertising       $6 each

• Prayer Cards        $8 for 20

Download specimen version of the prayer card here

Download a flyer here

Available from: NCCA        
Ph: (02) 9299 2215, email: secretariat@ncca.org.au
or from [your state ecumenical council]

*You will need Adobe Acrobat to view these resources

If you download resources from the NCCA website, it would be greatly appreciated if you could make a donation to the NCCA for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Many thanks!

OTHER RESOURCES AND LINKS

• An Introduction to the Theme of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2009 (PDF)
  - a reflection placing this year's Week of Prayer themes and the 8 Days' Prayer materials in their biblical and theological context
  
  
• The Ecumenical Situation in Korea  (PDF) 
  
  
• Suggestions for what local churches can do together (prepared by Queensland Churches Together) 
  
  
• National Day of Thanksgiving 2009 (Sat 30 May) website
  
  
• World Day of Prayer Australia - another step in the prayer for unity (marked on 6 March 2008)
  
  
• Decade to Overcome Violence: Churches seeking peace and reconciliation
  
  
• further materials at the Faith & Order website of the World Council of Churches
  
  
• Contact Your State Ecumenical Council for further assistance and information on local resources and events!