The annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity takes place from January 18-25. Christian denominations throughout the world pray for a greater unity among the various churches, focusing on what is shared in common, rather than what divides.
The theme for 2020, “They Showed Us Unusual Kindness” is taken from St. Paul’s account in Acts of the Apostles 27:18-28:10 of his perilous journey as he was being taken to Rome by ship as a prisoner in chains along with 275 other people. The boat was shipwrecked on the island of Malta through divine intervention in response to Paul’s prayer and trust in God. “After we had reached safety, we then learned that the island was called Malta. The natives showed us unusual kindness. Since it had begun to rain and was cold, they kindled a fire and welcomed all of us round it” (Acts 28:1-2).
The theme was suggested by a group of representatives from the Christian Churches in Malta who expressed the hope that, in prayer, reflection and action, Christians may join together in welcoming others “with unusual kindness” to counteract divisive and hostile attitudes toward strangers. The theme and materials are jointly published by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches. Read more here.