Today begins the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The observance began among Roman Catholics in 1908 and was later embraced by other groups including the World Council of Churches. It has been in American Lutheran church calendars since 1973.

I remember an ecumenical prayer service in Chicago sometime in the late 1960s. I think people were pleased by it. The Roman Catholics made a great effort to prepare a service that wasn’t their familiar Mass. Protestants sang along with gusto. It was a time of great hope in the midst of a chaotic world. Lutherans and Catholics engaged in a series of dialogs looking at the common ground among us.

When I came to Ocala in the late 90s there were ecumenical prayer services for Christian Unity. Unfortunately, I have watched these disappear as time has gone on. The divisive spirit of our times seems to have crept into our churches. Various denominations have undergone fractures. Even congregations squabble over issues. It is sad.

I believe we should keep praying for unity. Keep the hope alive. I commend the prayer first offered by Anglican Archbishop William Laud. “Gracious Father, we pray for thy holy Catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error direct it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is want, provide for it: where it is divided, reunite it, for the sake of Jesus Christ, thy Son our Savior.”

Read John 17:21 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Wayne