Week of Prayer for Christian Unity devotions offered by four heads of communion

CHICAGO – The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and leaders from The Episcopal Church, the Anglican Church of Canada, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada have prepared a series of devotions for the annual ecumenical celebration of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, observed this year from January 18 to 25. Each year churches from around the world mark a week to pray together for Christian unity.

The theme for the Week of Prayer 2019 is based the 16th chapter of Deuteronomy, which states, "Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue."

In her devotion for Saturday, January 19, Eaton reflects on Jesus' words from John 18:37: "For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth."

"So how do we live as people of Truth in a time of spin?" asked Eaton. "In baptism God has claimed us as beloved children joined to the death and resurrection of Christ, sealed by the Holy Spirit and marked with the cross of Christ forever. We now belong to the Truth."

In addition to Eaton, devotions were contributed by the Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, presiding bishop and primate, The Episcopal Church; the Most Rev. Fred Hiltz, primate, Anglican Church of Canada; and the Rev. Susan C. Johnson, national bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.

Christians across the United States and Canada are invited to use this devotion to reflect on Scripture together, to participate in jointly organized fellowship services, and to pray for unity together.

Download the devotions.

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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with more than 3.5 million members in more than 9,400 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.

For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
773-380-2877
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org

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