This week is World Interfaith Harmony Week, first proposed to the United Nations in 2010. The aims of the initiative are to foster interfaith dialogue based on recognising that the moral imperatives of all religions, convictions and beliefs call for peace and loving your neighbour.
Jesus teaches us that the whole world is our new neighbourhood, that anyone who is in need is our neighbour and we are called to seek justice for them.
Contemplate on the verses below as we pray for harmony, justice and freedom for people of all religions or beliefs: for Christians of all denominations; for Ahmadis in Pakistan; for Humanists in Nigeria; for Hoa Hao Buddhists in Vietnam; for Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar; and many others around the world.
Sunday 2 February
Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ (Matthew 22:37-39)
Monday 3 February
Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbour. (1 Corinthians 10:24 ESV)
Tuesday 4 February
Do not plot harm against your neighbour, who lives trustfully near you. (Proverbs 3:29)
Wednesday 5 February
Love does no wrong to a neighbour; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (Romans 13:10)
Thursday 6 February
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:9-10)
Friday 7 February
If you really fulfil the royal law according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself,’ you are doing well. (James 2:8 ESV)
Saturday 8 February
Lord Jesus, by your grace and goodness we are no longer strangers with those around us, but neighbours. Help us to always extend your love to all, and not only those who share our faith. We pray for all the places across the world where the love of our neighbour is sorely lacking. May your spirit of peace, harmony, mutual understanding and unity be ever-present. Amen.