In 2009 (which is also the UN Year of Reconciliation), the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity overlaped with the Week of Prayer for Reconciliation. Over 11 days - May 24 to June 3 - including the great feast of Pentecost on May 31 - we therefore had a wonderful opportunity to renew and deepen our relationships in the one God in whom we share together through Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit. This year's theme appropriately was 'That they may become one in your hand (Ezekiel 37:17) and a variety of resources and links can be found below to assist Australians in joining more effectively in that great wave of prayer begun by Jesus himself when he prayed 'that they may all be one... so that the world may believe' (John 17:21).

The 2009 resources, adapted for use in Australia, are grounded in the experience of the churches in in Korea. In their context of national division the churches have turned for inspiration to the prophet Ezekiel, who also lived in a tragically divided nation and longed for the unity of his people. The resources therefore offer fresh encouragement to churches in Australia to worship together locally, to witness to their unity in Christ, and to pray and act for the greater visible expression of that unity, not least in the context of our journey towards national Reconciliation. Link them into daily and weekly prayers, and with other special occasions (such as the World Day of Prayer on March 6 and National Day of Thanksgiving on May 30) and such prayer will be indeed strengthen God's hand for unity. For the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in 2009 is also an opportunity to reflect further on the vital importance of what is sometimes called 'spiritual ecumenism', the foundation of all Christian work for reconciliation and unity. Such a prayer base can further strengthen Christian commitment to seeking peace and reconciliation for all in the worldwide Decade to Overcome Violence.