Here’s a pastoral prayer inspired by Jesus’ high-priestly prayer in John 17. It was written by Abbe Paul Couturier and Pere Michalon.
Pastoral Prayer: Christian Unity
(inspired by John 17)
O Lord Jesus Christ, who on the eve of your Passion prayed that all your disciples might be one, as you are in the Father, and the Father in you, grant that we may suffer keenly on account of the unfaithfulness of our disunity. Grant us the loyalty to recognize and the courage to reject all our hidden indifference and mistrust, and our mutual hostility.
Grant that the may find each other in you, so that from our hearts and from our lips may ceaselessly arise your prayer for the Unity of Christians, such as you willed and by the means that you willed. Grant that in you, who are perfect love, we may find the way that leads to Unity, in obedience to your love and to your truth.
— written by Abbe Paul Courturier (1881-1953) and Pere Michalon.
