Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Do good, seek justice (Isaiah 1:17)

There are many reasons to divide us, building up walls and creating distance, but once again we are invited to pray for Christian unity, so that our divisions may not be a cause of scandal and suffering for those who have faith or who are in search of God.

The prophet Isaiah addresses an important invitation to us: "Do good. Make justice your aim". Good and justice are the basis of human coexistence and the experience of faith. They teach us to create bonds of love and respect. Good, however, does not always come naturally, the prophet Isaiah reminds us that we must be willing to learn it. Justice does not come by itself either, we must always seek it every day. Our Faith and Light communities are called to witness to unity and can be a sign of hope and communion for everyone.

O Lord, help us to preserve unity in our communities and societies, teach us every day to do good and to seek justice. In this time marked by divisions and conflicts, make us instruments of unity and reconciliation.

• World Council of Churches