Christians praying for unity within the Church

The annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity gets underway today.

The week traditionally runs between the ancient festival of the Chair of St Peter on the 18th and the Conversion of St Paul on January 25, and hopes to address and go some way to repair the "scandal" of disunity between the Anglican and Catholic Churches.

"To suggest that disunity is something acceptable is declaring that Christ himself is divided – and that really is a scandal!" the team behind the week say.

First commemorated in 1908 by Anglican priests Spencer Jones and Paul Wattson, the week has been adopted by tens of thousands of Christians all over the world who want to see reconciliation between the different traditions.

During the Week of Prayer 2014, the Millennium Goals, which largely centre on reducing global poverty, will be used as a focus for prayer for vulnerable people around the world.

In the UK, the week is being held in partnership with Christian Aid, which has provided "Go and Do" action points to accompany daily reflections.

The action points are designed to underline the importance of actively advocating for justice in our own communities as well as on a global scale.

Resources can be found here

News
Iran conflict could open doors for the Gospel, says mission agency
Iran conflict could open doors for the Gospel, says mission agency

EEM is also calling for prayers for those impacted by the conflict.

War disrupts Holy Week in Jerusalem
War disrupts Holy Week in Jerusalem

The impact of the escalating conflict in the Middle East region is being felt keenly in Jerusalem.

Thousands gather for installation of Sarah Mullally as 106th Archbishop of Canterbury
Thousands gather for installation of Sarah Mullally as 106th Archbishop of Canterbury

Dame Sarah Mullally is being formally installed today as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury and the first woman to hold the role in the Church of England’s 1,400-year history.

Church leaders condemn antisemitic ambulance attack
Church leaders condemn antisemitic ambulance attack

Christian leaders have been united in their condemnation of a firebomb attack on four ambulances operated by a Jewish charity.