By Heidi Bright Parales, DisciplesWorld contributing writer

INDIANAPOLIS (1/17/08) — This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, celebrated Jan. 18-25. The 2008 theme is “Pray without ceasing,” from 1 Thess. 5:17.

Christians around the world will pray for the unity that is God’s gift in Jesus Christ, said Robert Welsh, ecumenical officer for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

“My prayer is that God will continue to bless the ministry of all those who work for the unity of the church and for oneness among all Christians and all peoples,” he said. “In the division and fragmentation of our society and world today, we increasingly hear the urgent cry for signs of wholeness, reconciliation and peace.”

Several new initiatives in the life of the Council on Christian Unity and within the ecumenical movement give Welsh “great hope for the coming year in our efforts to be faithful to the gospel mandate ‘that they may be one . . . so that the world may believe,’” he said, quoting John 17:20-21.

“A vital element needed to sustain all of these efforts — indeed, that stands at the heart and soul of the ecumenical movement — is our prayer for unity.”

As Christians join together to pray for unity, we are joining with Jesus in his prayer for his disciples at the moment he knew he would soon no longer be with them in person, added Welsh.  Jesus’ prayer, as recorded in John 17, marks his deep concern that his followers might be perfectly one so the world might believe.

“Praying for Christian unity is not something that began 100 years ago; it began in Jesus' own ministry,” said Welsh. “And, I believe, he continues to intercede for the unity and oneness of his followers today before a divided and fragmented world that cries out for signs of peace and reconciliation between peoples, nations and religions."

From Jan. 18-25, 1908, the forerunner of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity was conducted in Garrison, N.Y. At the time, Paul Wattson suggested a period of prayer to last from the Feast of St. Peter's Chair on Jan. 18 through the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul on Jan. 25.

In 1916, Pope Benedict XV extended its observance to the universal church.

In 1966, the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches and the Vatican Secretariat (now Council) for Promoting Christian Unity starting developing a common text for worldwide usage. Since 1968, these international texts have been created for use in the United States by the Graymoor Ecumenical and Interreligious Institute.

Several Disciples lead organizations or partnerships that work toward Christian unity. Michael Kinnamon, a longtime promoter of Christian unity and until recently a professor at Eden Theological Seminary, is now general secretary of the National Council of Churches. He was also the final general secretary of the Consultation on Church Union, predecessor of Churches Uniting in Christ (CUIC), which was inaugurated in 2002.

Two Disciples leaders in CUIC include Patrice Rosner, executive director, and Suzanne Webb, president of the organization.

Former General Minister and President Richard L. Hamm was installed earlier this month as leader of Christian Churches Together in the USA, a new ecumenical partnership.