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.

In 2011 the global Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will focus on Jerusalem. The theme - "One in the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer" - was chosen by a group of Christian leaders from Jerusalem and is based on the book of Acts (2:42). It is a call for inspiration and renewal, a return to the essentials of the faith; it is a call to remember the time when the church was still one.

Click here for more information and a brochure with materials for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2011.

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 was celebrated from 16-23 May (Pentecost Sunday was 23 May).

Although the actual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has passed in 2010, the materials remain relevant for the whole year.

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.

We still have limited numbers of prayer cards and posters at 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  if you are interested in procuring some. We would ask for a donation to cover postage.  

WHAT WAS PLANNED IN QUEENSLAND?

in 2010 there were some great activities in local areas:

** Algester, Brisbane:
Veroica 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."

** Townsville: Walk of Witness – 16th May
"The Townsville churches planned a Walk of Witness to commence the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on 16th May. The Catholic Commission for Ecumenism and Interreligious Relations also began a dialogue series with their Anglican friends on the agreed statement on "Mary – Grace and Hope in Christ".

** Grovely, Brisbane:
Reverend Jan Crombie, Rector of the Anglican Parish of Grovely (Brisbane), writes:
“Last year we began a shared service with our neighbourhood R Catholic parish, St Williams, on the Wednesday night of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  It was a double celebration last year for the 150 years of both our churches as dioceses in Brisbane.  However, the tradition is continuing and this year, Grovely Anglican, is hosting the service on May 19 at 7pm. At All Saints Anglican Church, Cobbity Crescent, Arana Hills. We prepare the service together; the visiting church provides the preacher.”

Click here to read an account of their service.

** Meringandan / Highfields:
Evelyn Collin of Meringandan / Highfields Uniting Church writes:
“Our little church is being involved in the week of prayer by meeting before our church service on both the Sundays to pray for our sister churches as well as our congregation … being encouraged to pray when we have our own devotion during the week. We have an average attendance of 15 /20 at our weekly services.”

It's not too late to tell us about activities in your area during/around the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2010.
Your account can be an encouragement and inspiration for others. 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 abstract. We need to spell out what that means in our local context, in our denominations and in the 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.