Today, the United Methodist Conference welcomes ecumenical
leaders from other Christian churches around
the world. Bishop Ivan Abrahams, General Secretary of the
World Methodist Council (a body of 80 Methodist, Wesleyan,
and related Uniting and United Churches with more
than 80 million members in 133 countries around the world)
will proclaim the word. In addition, world leaders from
other Christian communions including the Eastern Orthodox
churches, Baptist churches, Pentecostal churches and
the Roman Catholic Church will be present—all together in
worship and prayer. All together in Christ. All together in
response to Jesus’ prayer for oneness.

Unity is a gift from God. Jesus’ life, death, resurrection,
and prayer makes us one in Christ. Nothing can separate us
from the love of God in and through Jesus Christ. There is
one God, one faith, one hope, one baptism. We believe in
Jesus and honor his word, which calls us into unity and
oneness. We are one body with many members—an important
understanding. Jesus said that our unity, our oneness,
our genuine love and respect for one another would enable
the world to believe that he was sent by God.

This year, as I represented The United Methodist Church
at the National Council of Churches, the World Council of
Churches, and the Parliament of World Religions, I experienced
a sense of joy and hope that lifted my spirit and
increased my resolve to live in accord with Jesus’ prayer.
Will you join me in praying, “That they may all be one. . . .
so that the world may believe that you sent me.”

By Mary Ann Swenson from The Upper Room: 60 Days of Prayer for General Conference 2016