“Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit.”

THE WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY

​The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has been an ecumenical tradition since
1908 and is now coordinated by the World Council of Churches. The theme for
2021 “Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit” (John 15), was chosen by
the monastic community of Grandchamp, located near Lake Neuchatel in
Switzerland. The community, founded in the 1930s, brings together sisters from
different churches and various countries, whose ecumenical vocation commits
them on the path of reconciliation among Christians and within the human family.
The second promise of their life commitment asks, “Will you, from now on, with
your sisters, celebrate the newness of life that Jesus Christ gives through the Holy
Spirit and let it grow in you and among us, in the Church and in the world, in the
whole of creation, thus fulfilling your service in this Community?”  
The metaphor that Jesus uses in John’s gospel, chapter 15, is that of a tree and
branches. The image helps us believers to understand that, although diverse
individuals, our oneness is deeper than any diversity or individuality. Christ,
Whose life we share, joins us to one another in everlasting fashion.
During this week, we pray the Jesus, Source of our unity, by His gracious love,
make this oneness a reality for us. May we love one another victoriously. And
may we unconditionally share such love with whomever comes across our path,
so to transform the world…

Gracious Lord,

we pray for all the member of your holy Church,
that all may abide in you and you in them,
that they may be one in your love and bear much fruit.

We also pray for the world,

that all may come to believe in your love for them

by the fruit of our witness.
We know that our divisions
are a source of scandal to your world,
and we know that in love

we are called to unite as one in the vine and branches.
The vine is our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son.
We are meant to be his branches.
Help us we pray,
to love,
to forgive,
to seek justice

and to be your prophetic voice in the world.
May your grace effect growth of good fruit among us,

that our world may realize peace.
We ask all this in the name of Jesus,
your Son and in the power of the Holy Spirit,
One God, for ever and ever.

Amen.