Minute for Mission: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins

January 18, 2023

The story of the wise men in Matthew 2 offers us some important lessons. One lesson I glean is that God will step outside of tradition and will use anyone to accomplish God’s purposes. These men according to historical sources were of Persian descent and were highly respected people who studied the stars. They could have been either astronomers or astrologers. What is important is that they were not Jewish. They may have had some knowledge of Judaism, but they were not observers of the Jewish faith.

Using non-Jews in this story tells us that God will step out of our box, move outside of our comfort zones, go where we won’t go, and reveal Godself to people who we wouldn’t think God would appear. From their knowledge of stars, they knew that this was no ordinary star. They knew that this particular star indicated that something special had occurred. To them, it meant the birth of a king, in particular, the king of the Jews. It was so important to them that they decided to leave their homes and make the journey to Judea. The birth of Jesus was so special that Gentiles (non-Jews) far removed from Judea and its ways, politics and issues were affected in a tremendous way.

Rev. Dr. Amariah McIntosh, GACIER representative from the CME Church

Let us join in prayer for:

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Tony Oltmann, Mission Associate, Vital Congregations, Presbyterian Mission Agency
Mary Oxford, Senior Administrative Assistant, Leadership Development for Leaders of Color, Presbyterian Mission Agency

Let us pray

Thank you for being a God of inclusiveness that reaches beyond our borders and brings people from every nation to you. Teach us to be accepting of all even if they don’t worship as we do. Amen.

Minute for Mission: Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins

January 18, 2021

The Presbyterian constitution directs believers “to manifest more visibly the unity of the body of Christ” (G-5.0101). Our daily reading from Ephesians suggests the way of Christian unity is made by speaking truth with love in a way that grows the body of Christ. Sunday’s readings included Paul’s writing to the church in Corinth where Paul is constantly challenging natural divisions with a greater goal of being the Body of Christ.

Paul recognized that division is a cancer, a deadly disease, that when allowed to spread wreaks havoc and destruction among the people of God. Paul makes one thing clear: Although we may be blessed and gifted in different ways, we share a common source. He wants the Corinthian church to understand the main point: God blesses us in a variety of ways not for ourselves and our glory but for the common good of the church.

There is equality in the kingdom of God. Regardless of the labels, categories and hierarchies outside of the church, within the church, we are all one body. It is this “oneness” that provides a space for difference. Paul points out that we are all different; not one member of the body has superiority or can claim that another member is less or more vital. This is the hope of our faith that, as we continue to appreciate the differences of others, we embrace our own differences. When we can embrace our differences, we can make a more joyful noise, a greater impact for the kingdom, and contribute more fully as our best selves. The work of Christian unity affirms that it is not our similarities, but our differences that make us vital in God’s economy!

Rev. Denise Anderson; Coordinator of Racial and Intercultural Justice; Compassion, Peace & Justice; Presbyterian Mission Agency

On behalf of the Committee on Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations:
The Rev. Mary Newbern-Williams, Calvin Presbyterian Church, Norfolk, Virginia
The Rev. Dr. Amariah McIntosh, Phillips Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Toledo, Ohio
The Rev. Brian R. Paulson, First Presbyterian Church of Libertyville, Illinois

Let us join in prayer for: 

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff

Kendra Bright Presbyterian Publishing Corporation
Christian Brooks, Presbyterian Mission Agency

Let us pray:

Loving God, you are the uniting force in a diverse world. Enrich us so that we model the value of being diverse people united by your Spirit. In Christ we pray. Amen.