If one looks back just to the last ten years of themes, the richness of these (largely neglected) insights from different parts of the world becomes evident:
2001 I am the
Way, and the Truth, and the Life (John 14:1-6)
2002
For with you is the fountain of life (Psalm 36:5-9)
2003 We
have this treasure in clay jars (2 Corinthians 4:4-18)
2004 My
peace I give to you (John 14:23-31; John 14:27)
2005
Christ, the one foundation of the church (1 Corinthians 3 1-23)
2006
Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them (Matthew
18:18-20)
2007 He
even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak (Mark 7:31-37)
2008
Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:(12a) 13b-18)
2009
That they may become one in your hand (Ezekiel 37:15-28)
2010
You are witnesses of these things (Luke 24:48)
2011 One in the
apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer (cf. Acts 2:42)
2012 We
will all be Changed by the Victory of our Lord Jesus Christ (cf. 1 Cor
15:51-58).
Two particular insights from this year’s materials ‘reflect[ing] on our change in Christ’ are (1) the closer we come to the cross of Christ, the closer
we come to one another; and (2) that in our divisions we cannot be strong enough to overcome evil in our times.
Ian S. Markham argues that ‘there is a
sense that all Christian theology is part of the response to suffering and
evil. The Fall … explains the propensity of humanity to inflict so much
suffering and pain; the good news of redemption is the miracle that God is
creating the possibility of a human life living for love rather than egotism;
and the hope beyond the grave is the promise of redemption for all life forms
made possible by the miracle of resurrection.’ When we pray, we are creating
space for God to act. We are opening up channels for love to act and make a
difference. The prayers of Christians are at their most profound and most
heartfelt when they pray together, regardless of denomination. This is one of the great aims of the Week of Prayer
for Christian Unity.
