Prayer for the World January 21, 2026

There is One Body and One Spirit

Introduction

Every year, Christians around the world come together to observe the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  During this week, which runs from January 18 through January 25, they celebrate the truth that “What unites us is much greater than what divides us”  (Pope John Paul II, Ut Unum Sint, 20)

The theme this year comes from St Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians:  “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling”  (4:4)

Song:  For All the World  -  Jan Novotka

For all the world we gather here!

For all the world we come, we gather now as one, one in love.

Material for Reflection:

If Jesus’ prayer for unity is going to be answered, then all of us in the body of Christ must let go of our fear and unbelief.   Jesus, in his word, shows clearly that he wants unity. The Holy Spirit through Vatican II made it clear that unity is God’s plan.  And the Church has made it clear that working for unity  is not optional.  One of the clearest statements came from Pope Benedict XVI when he said:

Manifestations of good sentiments are not enough … There must be concrete gestures … leading each one to progress on the path of Ecumenism … It is before him, supreme Judge of every living being, that each one of us must place himself, in the awareness of one day having to render to him of what one has done or not done for the good of full and visible unity of all his disciples.

Pope Francis said:  “Peace is possible, while showing that we have differences but that we wish to be a reconciled diversity.

This month, let’s fulfill Jesus’ promise:  “This is how all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another”  (John 13:35)  Let us respect and show courtesy to our Protestant and Orthodox brothers and sisters. Let us pray for Christian unity.

Reflection

Prayer of the Faithful:

Unite Christians as instruments of peace and oneness in Christ, and help us diffuse the light of the Gospel throughout the earth, we pray

Pour the Spirit of your love upon all Christians, and prosper the work of ecumenism, dialogue, and unity among us,  we pray

Inspire dialogue, mutual respect, and a commitment to Christian unity among Eastern and Western Christians, we pray

Heal divisions among Christians, and unite us in the work of the Gospel, we pray

Prosper dialogue for respect and understanding among Christian, Muslims, and Jews,  we pray

Reflection

Song:  For All the World