Christians around the world are gathering together in unity for the Week of Prayer.

The week of Prayer for Christian Unity is underway right now with the theme of "unusual kindness". From January 18-25, believers around the world are gathering to pray and reflect on how to show the world unusual kindness.

The theme of the year was inspired by Acts 28:2 where Paul found himself at the mercy of the Maltese after a shipwreck. For one week various churches in Malta took care of Paul providing food and shelter. 

“If we confess to our Christian origins, then it is our duty to welcome the stranger."

Since 1968, the Roman Catholic Church has promoted Christian Unity with a week of prayer in collaboration with churches around the world. “It is always so moving to imagine Christians throughout the world from so many traditions sharing in these same reflections during the week," Reverend Dr. Susan Durber says to the World Council of Churches.

Christian leaders hope that this will be a "wake-up call" for believers. The week of prayer is a way to inspire a new perspective, be a catalyst for action, and encourage intentional living. 

“If we confess to our Christian origins, then it is our duty to welcome the stranger," Prof. Hector Scerri, chair of the Malta Ecumenical Council says.