By K.M. George

The WCC Assembly, the largest and most representative gathering of Christian churches from across the globe, will be a praying assembly. Its theme is itself a prayer: "God, in your grace, transform the world." Its deliberations and discussions, its policies and programmes will be shaped by the spirit of prayer to the triune God - the Creator, Sustainer and Saviour of all.

The worship tent in Porto Alegre will symbolize the declared goal of the WCC to be a space where churches call one another to visible unity in one faith and one loving communion to worship the triune mystery of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

And yet, the Christians who gather there will painfully recall that they remain divided for reasons of history, belief, cultural practices and institutional structures. All will be sadly aware that they cannot yet hold a common eucharistic celebration or any sacramental worship or, even less, an "ecumenical liturgy". But this will not prevent them from expressing their fervent and prayerful hope for the unity in Christ their Saviour, and affirming their common faith and trust in the power of the Holy Spirit who leads us into the truth.

As those gathered at the 9th Assembly in Porto Alegre come together in simple and joyful acts of prayer and song, some questions will be uppermost in their minds:

• What is it that prevents Christians from perfecting and celebrating our faith and communion in Christ our common Lord?
• What are the doctrinal and historical obstacles that keep our churches divided?
• What should we do now to witness to Christ crucified and risen as one united body of Christ?

In its search for answers to these questions, the Assembly will seek in-sight and inspirations from these times of prayer and worship together.