Christians of Malta Add Voices To Call For Christian Unity – With Files From The Canadian Council of Churches
This year, the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – an observance first proposed by Fr Paul Wattson, founder of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement in Graymoor, New York in 1908 – runs from January 19-26, 2020. Within the Archdiocese of Regina and around the world Christians from a variety of denominations are engaging in shared praise and worship to pray as brothers and sisters for unity among Christians and reconciliation in the world. Divisions among Christians have existed for many centuries. This causes great pain and is contrary to God’s will. We believe in the power of prayer. Together with Christians all over the world, we gather to offer prayer as we seek to overcome separation.
The resources for this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity have been prepared by different Christian Churches in Malta. The history of Christianity in this small island nation dates back to the time of the apostles. According to tradition, St Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, reached the shores of Malta in the year 60 CE. The narrative describing this eventful and providential episode is conveyed to us in the final two chapters of the Acts of the Apostles.
This text signals the beginning of Christianity in Malta – a small country made up of two main inhabited islands, Malta and Gozo, as well as other islets – at the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, halfway between the southern tip of Sicily and Northern Africa. This biblical land lies at the crossroads of civilizations, cultures and religions.
The prayers and reflections, during this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, are centered on the hospitality shown by the islanders towards those who had just been shipwrecked: “They showed us unusual kindness” (cf. Acts 28:2). As the week wraps up, all are invited join a gathering of Christians on January 26 at 3pm at All Saints Anglican Church, 142 Massey Road in Regina. Pastor Joel Russell MacLean of First Baptist, Regina will be preaching.
As an island nation, boats are an important part of Maltese life. The Scripture reading in this service describes the perilous sea voyage by the Apostle Paul. The image of a boat is also symbolic of the sometimes tempestuous journey Christians make together towards unity.
We encourage you to observe this Week of Prayer keeping a specific focus on Christ’s prayer “that all may be one… so that the world may believe” (John 17:21). Whether we gather together in joint services or in our own churches, in prayer groups or individually, let our prayer be for the unity that Christ wills, as Christ wills. Suggested resources for the Week of Prayer are available at https://www.weekofprayer.ca/2020-wpcu-resources
May the love and respect we show each other this week, as we pray for Christian unity, be with us throughout the whole year.
