“Do You Believe This?” (John 11:26)
For this year, 2025, the prayers and reflections for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity were prepared by
the brothers and sisters of the monastic community of Bose in northern Italy. This year marks the 1,700th
anniversary of the first Christian Ecumenical Council, held in Nicaea, near Constantinople in 325 AD. This
commemoration provides a unique opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the common faith of Christians,
as expressed in the Creed formulated during this Council; a faith that remains alive and fruitful in our days.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2025 offers an invitation to draw on this shared heritage and to
enter more deeply into the faith that unites all Christians,
Dr Nicola Brady, General Secretary, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland writes a welcome introduction for this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
Material for each day of the Week of Prayer. The scripture readings for this year focus on belief. We are invited to reflect on the story of Martha’s confession of faith in Jesus as narrated in John 11:17-27. Each of us is called to sit with Jesus’ provocative question to Martha: “Do you believe this?” The texts provide for personal or communal prayer for each of the eight days include two scripture readings and a psalm. The biblical texts for each day highlight in turn key statements of the Nicene Creed.
Join Brighton’s “Monks in the City” at St John the Baptist Catholic Church, Kemptown, on Sunday 19 January for Vespers with hymns, psalms, readings and prayers at 4pm. Bishop Lindsay Urwin will preach, with light refreshments in the Fitzherbert Community Hub afterwards.
A Prayer for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
God of hope, you promise that the poor in spirit will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.
Bring new life to those who trust in you.
Christ, you know the pain of division, yet in sadness you teach us the way of consolation.
Help us to remember that you are the joy that cannot be removed.
Jesus, you cast down the powerful, promising to clothe the peacemakers with a glorious robe, calling them the
Children of God.
Make us bearers of your peace.
Christ of mercy and compassion, you forgave the thief who died with you