The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Day 4—Sunday 21st January 2024

When he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

(Luke 10: 31)

May we never turn away from those in need.

Additional scripture passages

Isaiah 58: 4-8a Psalm 34: 15-22

Reflection

The priest and the Levite who walked by on the other side may have had religious reasons for not helping. They would have felt justified in what they had done. Yet, on many occasions, Jesus is critical of religious leaders for placing rules ahead of the obligation to do good.

The prophet Isaiah gives us the same encouragement, we should do good rather than look good.

As Christians, how far are we prepared to go beyond convention?

This parable not only challenges us to do good, but also to widen our vision. The Good Samaritan is often the one we do not expect. Light and love are embodied in our enemy too.

We pray for

St Mary’s Church, Hawkshaw.

Holcombe Brook Methodists.

Our clergy, ministers and church leaders.

World leaders that they show faith and integrity.

We pray together

Lord Jesus Christ, may our eyes not look away, but be wide open to the world around us. As we travel through life, may we stop and reach out, bind up the wounded and in so doing experience your presence in them.

Amen

Question

Who are the Good Samaritans in your community?

Go and do

Reflect on your own circle of relationships and their geography. Choose today to walk through another part of town. What do you see and who do you notice?