Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2025Sample

The Church: Community of Believers

Patristic Reading

From the Latin tradition
The church is one, spread abroad far and wide into a multitude by an increase of fruitfulness. As there are many rays of the sun but one light, and many branches of a tree but one strength based in its tenacious root... in the same manner the church, shone over with the light of the Lord, sheds forth her rays over the whole world, yet it is one light which is everywhere diffused, nor is the unity of the body fractured. Her fruitful abundance spreads her branches over the whole world.
- Cyprian of Carthage [c. 210-258], On the Unity of the Church, 5

For reflection:

1.The Church is called to shed forth the light of Christ over the world. Where do you perceive this reality in your own context?

2.Even though in Christ the Church is one body, historically the churches are divided. How have you experienced the pain of this division?

3.The Church as the community of the Holy Spirit, the giver of peace, is sent to live and spread the message of peace in the world. In what ways might churches enable their members to fulfil this calling?

Prayer

Let us pray.
God of heaven and earth,
your Son Jesus Christ has revealed you as our Father
and promised us the gift of the Holy Spirit:
grant to your Church to overcome the scandal of our divisions,
so that we may bear witness to your life of communion,
in the unity of our profession of faith
and in the love of mutual service.
Through Christ our Lord. AMEN.