In God's Hands: Common Prayer for the World

Prayer is central to the Christian life, and therefore to the ecumenical movement. Jesus himself prayed that we "all may be one" (John 17:21), offering the basis and goal of our search for common confession, witness, service, and prayer. In God's Hands offers valuable aids for intercessory prayer - prayer on behalf of and in solidarity with others. This book includes prayers and other worship materials from many Christian traditions and communities, enabling the reader to journey in prayer through each week of the year and through all the regions and countries of the world. Descriptions of these nations and peoples assist the reader praying for others in an informed way, knowing something of their local situations, possibilities, and challenges. This book is the long-awaited, complete revision of the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle last issued in 1989. The worship material has been gathered anew, and the country descriptions take into account the momentous religious, cultural, and political changes of recent years. Drawing on all the World Council of Churches' worship and editorial resources, this is a rich resource for all who want to be linked in prayer with other Christians in all their diverse needs in every land.