Christian Unity has long been a passion of mine (despite my intense detestation of the typical Presbyterian monologue services I all too often have had to endure in its furtherance!) My personal theology is that of that brilliant and appropriate collect from 1929 Scottish Prayer Book for the unity of all Christian people:
O
GOD, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Saviour, the Prince
of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great dangers
we are in by our unhappy divisions. Take away all hatred and prejudice,
and whatsoever else may hinder us from godly union and concord: that,
as there is but one Body, and one Spirit, and one hope of our calling,
one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we
may henceforth be all of one heart, and of one soul, united in one holy
bond of truth and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind
and one mouth glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The material for this year's unity services is from Poland and their prayers of repentance and for unity and Transformation are excellent.
Prayer of repentance
L: Almighty God, in spite of the Unity we receive in Christ, we
persist in our disunity. Have mercy on us!
C: Have mercy on us!
L: We harden our hearts when we hear the Gospel. Have mercy on us!
C: Have mercy on us!
L: We fail to serve You in our brothers and sisters. Have mercy on us!
C: Have mercy on us!
L: The disobedience of Adam and Eve brought suffering and death to us, and creation was wounded and torn apart. Have mercy on us!
C: Have mercy on us!
L: May God Almighty have mercy on us, forgive our sins, and lead us to eternal life.
C: Amen.
C: Have mercy on us!
L: We harden our hearts when we hear the Gospel. Have mercy on us!
C: Have mercy on us!
L: We fail to serve You in our brothers and sisters. Have mercy on us!
C: Have mercy on us!
L: The disobedience of Adam and Eve brought suffering and death to us, and creation was wounded and torn apart. Have mercy on us!
C: Have mercy on us!
L: May God Almighty have mercy on us, forgive our sins, and lead us to eternal life.
C: Amen.
Prayers for Unity and Transformation
L: United in Christ who gives us the victory, let us pray to God:
For the Church, the Body of Christ, that we might truly live the unity we receive through the Holy Spirit. God our strength:
C: Change us by your grace.
L: For the leaders of our churches that they may be faithful to the unity to which all Christians are called. God our strength:
C: Change us by your grace.
L: For the nations of the world, that they may live in peace with one another and promote justice for all. God our strength:
C: Change us by your grace.
L: For all people, that we may be good stewards of the earth. God our strength:
C: Change us by your grace.
L: For the people of our society, that we may be transformed to live as caring neighbours to each other. God our strength:
C: Change us by your grace.
L: For the sick and suffering, that they may be transformed by your healing presence. God our strength:
C: Change us by your grace.
L: For all families and households, that their struggles and joys may find their fulfilment in your love. God our strength:
C: Change us by your grace.
L: For the dying, that they may be comforted by your presence. God our strength:
C: Change us by your grace.
L: Lord, stand in our midst and grant us unity and peace.
C: Amen.
For the Church, the Body of Christ, that we might truly live the unity we receive through the Holy Spirit. God our strength:
C: Change us by your grace.
L: For the leaders of our churches that they may be faithful to the unity to which all Christians are called. God our strength:
C: Change us by your grace.
L: For the nations of the world, that they may live in peace with one another and promote justice for all. God our strength:
C: Change us by your grace.
L: For all people, that we may be good stewards of the earth. God our strength:
C: Change us by your grace.
L: For the people of our society, that we may be transformed to live as caring neighbours to each other. God our strength:
C: Change us by your grace.
L: For the sick and suffering, that they may be transformed by your healing presence. God our strength:
C: Change us by your grace.
L: For all families and households, that their struggles and joys may find their fulfilment in your love. God our strength:
C: Change us by your grace.
L: For the dying, that they may be comforted by your presence. God our strength:
C: Change us by your grace.
L: Lord, stand in our midst and grant us unity and peace.
C: Amen.
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