Moderator invites us to mark Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

This year's Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, based on the theme of ‘We saw the star in the East, and we came to worship him' (Matthew 2:2), takes place from Tuesday 18 January until Tuesday 25 January, with brand new resources available including a Scots Gaelic translation of this year's guide.

The ecumenical Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is traditionally observed in the Northern Hemisphere from 18-25 January. However, the Southern Hemisphere observes it between Ascension Day and Pentecost.

Each year ecumenical partners in a different region are asked to prepare the materials.

This year's materials have been prepared by the Middle East Council of Churches. The Christians of the Middle East offer these resources conscious that the world shares many of the travails and much of the difficulties that it experiences, and yearns for a light to lead the way to the Saviour who is the light that overcomes darkness.

"The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in 2022 invites the churches of Scotland, and beyond, to join with the Magi as they journey to pay homage to the Christ-child," Lord Wallace, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, said.

"Their journey of discovery is complete as they join together in the offering of their gifts. In turn, we are invited to join together in prayer and to make that same journey of discovery.

"We are especially grateful to the Middle East Council of Churches for the crafting of the prayer resources in 2022.

"I am especially pleased to note that Churches Together In Britain and Ireland have made the prayer resources available in Gaelic for the first time.

"I encourage people to respond to this invitation."

Download this year's resources

Churches Together in Britain and Ireland's writers group have kindly translated the materials into Scots Gaelic, bilingual Welsh/English, and Irish. All of these translations, alongside the English version, are also available in an accessible format.

Each day, there are readings, reflections, prayers, hymns, reflective questions and actions you can do. The ‘go and do' action ideas for each day are supplied by Christian Aid — linking into the important work they do in the relief of poverty and advocacy of justice.

There is also an all-age resource pack providing ideas for play activities, hymns, prayers, songs and readings to complement this year's theme.

Download this year's resources.

Show your support

Show your support for Christian Unity by posting unity messages and details of your events to Churches Together in Britain and Ireland's Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Twitter wall – simply add the #wpcuwall hashtag to your Twitter post (note there is a delay before they appear).

You can also find updates about the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on Twitter by following the #wpcu2022 hashtag.