Week Of Prayer For Christian Unity 2017Sample

Everything has become new (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Commentary

Paul encountered Christ, the risen Lord, and became a renewed person-just as everyone does who believes in Christ. This new creation is not visible to the naked eye. Instead, it is a reality of faith. God lives in us by the power of the Holy Spirit and lets us share in the life of the Trinity.

By this act of new creation, the Fall is overcome and we are brought into a saving relationship with God. Truly amazing things can be said about us: as Paul said, in Christ we are a new creation; in his resurrection death is overcome; no person or thing can snatch us out of the hand of God; we are one in Christ and he lives in us; in Christ we are "a kingdom and priests" (Rev 5:10) as we give thanks to him for overcoming death and we proclaim the promise of the new creation.

This new life becomes visible when we allow it to take shape and live it out in "compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." It must also become apparent in our ecumenical relationships. A common conviction in many churches is that the more we are in Christ, the closer we are to each other. Especially on this 500th anniversary of the Reformation, we are reminded of both the achievements and tragedies of our history. The love of Christ compels us to live as renewed beings in actively seeking unity and reconciliation.

Questions

• What helps me to recognize that I am a new creation in Christ?
• What are the steps I need to take to live out my new life in Christ?
• What are the ecumenical implications of being a new creation?

Prayer

Triune God, you reveal yourself to us as Father and creator, as Son and Saviour, and as Spirit and giver of life, and yet you are one. You break through our human boundaries and renew us. Give us a new heart to overcome all that endangers our unity in you. We pray in the name of Christ Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.