Please join the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement for a

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Service

in observation of the 2025 Week of Prayer

Saturday, January 25, 2025
7 PM Eastern

St. Paul Friary Chapel at Graymoor
40 Franciscan Way
Garrison, NY 10524

Fr. Ken Cienik, SA – Preacher

The 2025 theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is “Do you believe?” (John 11:26): the theme honors the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, at which the question of common belief was upheld as a paramount pillar for church integrity, while also drawing us into the gospel episode of the resurrection of Lazarus, offering a promise of hope in times of communal fragmentation and death-dealing power. For more information about the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the 2025 theme, or materials to aid in observing the WPCU in your home community, visit geii.org/week-of-prayer-for-christian-unity.

“It is my hope that you will join us for these opportunities to pray, in the spirit of our Founders, that Christ’s prayer ‘That all may be one’ will be realized.” – V. Rev. Fr. Emil Tomaskovic

Daily Scripture and Prayer Guide

Day 8 – Waiting for the Kingdom and the life to come

Scripture Readings

Revelation 21:1-4

Psalm 85:8, 10-12

Luke 12:35-40

Meditation

Whoever lives in love in this creation breathes the life coming from God. While yet in this world, one breathes the air of rebirth. In this air the righteous will delight at the resurrection. Love is the kingdom whereof our Lord mystically promised the disciples that they would eat in his kingdom: “You shall eat and drink at the table of my kingdom.” What should they eat, if not love? Love is sufficient to nourish a man instead of food and drink. This is the wine that gladdens the heart of man. Blessed are they who drink of this wine! – Isaac of Nineveh (7th century), First Collection, 43.

Love will be the reality of the Kingdom of God. Concrete actions of charity make this Kingdom present in our lives. Living in expectation of the Kingdom of God, how do we embody signs of the coming Kingdom in the world today? We are called to be ready for the second coming of the Lord. How do we prepare ourselves for it?

Prayer

O Lord, hasten the coming of your great and glorious day! In our darkness, many men and women no longer dare to hope. Protect the flame of faith in the hearts of the weak and the suffering. May the Church be a faithful herald of the victory of Christ your Son over death and a beacon of expectation for his return in glory. He is the Living One, with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and ever. Amen.

For more daily prayers visit the Daily Scripture and Prayer Guide at geii.org.