or more than a century we have been setting aside a special time for drawing near to our Savior. Will this year’s special time be different? Should you plan to attend, and will you read the articles that have been prepared? Consider the comments that follow. May they encourage you to set aside the routine things that demand your attention and seriously plan to participate for yourself in this week of prayer.

The Seventh‑day Adventist church grew out of a movement grounded in the Bible as the Word of God, love for Jesus Christ, and a compelling mandate to share the news of a soon-coming Savior with the world. Given such a biblical foundation and the unique organizational structure that eventually developed, our church has grown into a world‑wide movement with a focus on mission that is the envy of many of our Christian friends in other denominations. But the larger we grow and the more diverse we become, the greater is the challenge of maintaining the unity and purpose of the church.

Strong forces are threatening to tear apart our families. Theological disputes and philosophical differences have the effect of directing our focus away from the mission of the church. Diversity, which should be one of the strengths of the church, has the potential in some parts of the world to separate and divide. Our fast‑paced postmodern society has people in such a hurry that it crowds out time for reflection and study of the Scriptures, leaving a generation with limited and questionable moral guidance. Respect for authority and commitment to organization  is at an all‑time low. How then does the remnant church of God remain united in this new millennium with all of the forces that are vying to pull us apart? What is God’s purpose in having a united church?

“During ages of spiritual darkness the church of God has been as a city set on a hill. From age to age, through successive generations the pure doctrines of heaven have been unfolding within its borders. Enfeebled and defective as it may appear, the church is the one object upon which God bestows in a special sense His supreme regard. It is the theater of His grace, in which He delights to reveal His power to transform hearts” (Acts of the Apostles, p. 12).

The messages prepared for this week of prayer have been carefully and prayerfully chosen to strengthen your faith in the Word of God, deepen your love for Jesus and His saving grace, and keep this world church moving forward in harmony and love. Our president, Elder Jan Paulsen, begins the week by exploring the biblical basis for unity in the “mission” of the church. Through the week you will continue to study how the Word unites us in doctrine, hope, fellowship, and worship. On Wednesday the subject leads us to reconsider how the Word  strengthens our families. The week ends with Ellen White’s article on the importance of the Word of God. And remember, material has also been prepared for the younger members of the church.

I invite you to make a concerted effort not only to read these timely articles, but also to fellowship with the members in your congregation during this week. Join us in praying that the Holy Spirit will strengthen our unity, deepen our love for Jesus, and by drawing us closer to each other make the church strong and united to complete her task on this earth.

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Gerry Karst is a general vice president of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.