Each year in many countries one week is set aside by a wide range of churches to pray specifically for the unity of the churches. The idea was born in 1908 - which means that 2008 was the centenary of the global initiative of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Click here for some history and background concerning this initiative.

In the Northern Hemisphere the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is celebrated from 18 to 25 January. In Australia it is in May, often linked to Pentecost.

2010: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

"You are witnesses of these things" (Luke 24:48)

This year in Australia the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will be celebrated from 16-23 May(Pentecost Sunday is 23 May).

During this time we have a wonderful opportunity to renew and deepen our relationships in the one God in whom we share together through Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.

This year's theme is ‘You are witnesses of these things’ (Luke 24:48), and a variety of resources and links can be found below to assist Australians in joining more effectively in that great wave of prayer begun by Jesus himself when he prayed 'that they may all be one... so that the world may believe' (John 17:21).

The global materials for the Week of Prayer were produced jointly by the WCC & the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, drawing on Scottish churches’ experience.  The 2010 resources, adapted for use in Australia, are grounded in the experience of the churches in Scotland and are also designed to help mark the 100th anniversary of the 1910 Edinburgh World Mission Conference, such a great landmark in the development of the ecumenical movement.

Click here to download the Australian materials for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and Reconciliation in 2010.

In the 2010 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity we are encouraged to reflect each day on Chapter 24 of Luke's gospel, stopping at the questions Jesus' asks to his disciples and those they ask of Jesus.  Each of these questions highlights a particular way of witnessing to the Risen One, and invites us to think about church division and about how, concretely, we can remedy that. 

Link these resources into daily and weekly prayers, and with other special occasions (such as the World Day of Prayer on March 6) and such prayer will be indeed strengthen God's hand for mission and unity. For the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in 2010 is also an opportunity to reflect further on the vital importance of sharing in the mission of God (missio dei) in our own age.

Don't forget that you can order prayer cards and posters directly from QCT - phone 07 3369 6792 or email Jela on This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it :

Posters (full colour, with space to advertize your event) cost $6.00 each
Prayer cards: $10.00 for 25 cards

We would love to know about - and promote - ecumenical services or other activities being planned locally in different parts of Queensland. Send an email to Glenine Hamlyn at: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it or phone 07 3369 6792.

The nuts and bolts of unity
Praying simply for "unity" between Christians can seem very abstract. We need to spell out what that means in our local context, in our denominations at district and state level, in a global context. Starting at home, we can ask ourselves a few questions.

Do people in your congregation know what is happening in the other denominations around your area? How can you find out? How can you help your own people to pray for your brothers and sisters around the corner? How can you show concern if they are struggling with particular issues (e.g. illness of a key person in the congregation, financial burdens, grief)? How can you show that you rejoice with them - e.g. on a significant anniversary? 

Prayer can mean many things
And what does "prayer" mean? Within the member churches and communities of QCT there is a richness of different understandings of prayer, from the silent, listening prayer of the Religious Society of Friends to the liturgical prayers of our Orthodox sisters and brothers, steeped in ancient Christian wisdom. Would it be possible for congregations in your area to share with each other what prayer means to each of them?

Reach out to your neighbours now
In other words, why not make prayer a particular focus of your interaction with other churches, locally and at other levels? Why not reach out for the first time to other Christians around you to find out how you can pray with and for each other?

And then watch how out of that prayer, actions and relationships grow.

What is happening in Queensland?
Last but not least: tell us about it - we love to share stories on this website.

Here's what Veronica Kearney, APRE at St Stephen's Catholic School, Algester, writes:
"We normally publicise this Week of Prayer in our school newsletter and we say the prayers together as a school, either at our weekly School assembly or over the PA system.  I encourage our teachers to discuss the power of prayer and to pray for unity and peace."