“When we sincerely wish good for our neighbor, only then can we sincerely pray” – His Beatitude Lubomyr

For a whole week in churches of different confessions (Ukrainian Orthodox Church-Kyivan Patriarchate, Churches of Christians of the Evangelical Faith of Ukraine (Pentecostals), Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox Church, Roman Catholic Church in Ukraine, and the UGCC), as part of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (January 18-25) Christians of different Churches conducted services. The final prayer took place on January 25 in the Church of Saint Basil the Great (UGCC). "In churches of different confessions we prayed for unity. Unity as a gift from the Lord, unity which has to be among us Christians, in fulfillment of the testament of Christ. Unity like that which exists in the Holy Trinity." So His Beatitude Lubomyr, Head of the UGCC, summarized the experience of the week. The Head of the UGCC noted that "in every church there were exhortations to search for unity." However, His Beatitude Lubomyr gave attention to the fact that talk about unity is not difficult, but it is important to pray for it. "To talk about unity is very easy, I would say popular. Even politicians talk about unity. But to pray for unity is already not a simple matter. Now prayer is not empty words which come out of our mouths. Prayer has to be sincere. It should come from our heart," he said. The Head of the UGCC suggested that those present complete the week of prayer with a test of how sincere their prayer is.  The test consisted of three questions which the person has to ask him- or herself:

1. What good did I do for my neighbor, even if he does not belong to my Church? Did I wish him good; did I cast aside everything that is offensive to him?  2. What bad did I do to my neighbor who is not from my Church, perhaps I mocked him, I was glad at his misfortune, glad when he made a mistake? 3. What good did I avoid that I could do for my neighbor and did not do? Was I glad for my neighbor, did I support him in spirit when he had misfortunes?

"When we answer these questions, we will see how sincere our prayer is. When we sincerely wish good for our neighbor, only then can we sincerely pray. We have to find in our heart that benevolence, that good, and to wish it sincerely to all. On such a foundation we can build that unity which the Heavenly Father wants to give us. Because He already gives it to us, and promised not only that He would give it sometime, but already now, if we are ready to accept it." So His Beatitude Lubomyr explained. The prayer meeting was completed with the Lord’s Prayer, the "Our Father," common for all Christians.

Information Department of the UGCC

Sermon of His Beatitude Lubomyr in audio format (in the Ukrainian language)