Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026
The theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026 is from Ephesians 4:4: “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling.” Prayer week is an ecumenical (universal) initiative that calls upon Christian churches to lay aside traditions and doctrines and pray for the Church’s unity while reflecting on the prayer of Jesus in John 17:21 “that they all may be one.”
Unity is Ordained of God
Unity or oneness is a characteristic of Christianity, taught throughout the Bible. In Exodus 25:8, God commanded Moses to build a sanctuary so that He could dwell among them. It is understood that unity is essential. Throughout the Old Testament, the sanctuary, later the temple, was a place where people gathered to pray and worship God together. In the New Testament, the early church was unified by the Spirit and had all things in common.
Organization of the Week of Prayer
The Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity (DPCU) is a department of the Roman Catholic Church responsible for organizing the Week of Prayer. In the world’s northern region, this week is designated from January 18 to 25; however, the southern region often celebrates it around Pentecost. Each year, the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches and the DPCU appoint an international team to assist with finalizing the materials.
This year, the Armenian Apostolic Church’s Inter-Church Relations Department was selected to prepare the week’s prayers and reflections. Their meeting was held from October 13 to 18 at the Holy See of Etchmaidzin, Armenia. The prayer traditions and hymns that date back to the fourth century in Armenian churches invite others to draw upon a shared Christian heritage and delve deeper into our shared fellowship in Christ that unites Chritistians worldwide.
Materials for the Week of Prayer
The Anglican Communion’s website lists an “introduction to the theme” and an ecumenical worship service with a selection of prayers and short readings for each day. The materials can be obtained through various means, as they’re not only intended for use during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, but also throughout the year.
How Anglican Churches Can Get Involved
The Week of Prayer has encouraged reflecting on Christian harmony through prayer and collaboration for decades. How can Anglican churches participate in this week for Christian Unity? Many Anglican churches are committed to the importance of ecumenism. Other ecumenical organizations, such as Churches Together and the World Council of Churches, release regular content during the week of prayer.
Some organizations and churches hold special services or meetings to honor the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The Anglican Communion Office will share content on Instagram, Facebook, and X daily to encourage Anglicans to reflect on the importance of the journey to Christian Unity.
The Importance of Church Unity
The Importance of Church unity cannot be overstated at this time, with a nation that seems inharmonious. Social, cultural, and political unrest divide us, but prayer can unite us if it’s done in sincerity and truth. It must be done sincerely, with a pure and humble heart. The truth of God’s word and Jesus’s prayer that we be one must be at the heart of our prayers. This then can become the greatest opportunity the world has ever known.
1 Timother 2:8 upholds the importance of prayer: “I will therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.” Colossians 4:2 instructs the church to “continue in prayer,” and 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says to “pray without ceasing,” or to have an attitude of prayer. And Jesus is the church’s greatest example of prayer for the church because He often “withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.”
Available Resources
Prayer and worship resources have been prepared to support not only churches but also individuals who want to participate in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Reflections and daily prayers, a worship service, and materials in multiple languages are included in the resources available.
You may use these resources in various settings, from church services to personal reflection gatherings. Use these materials for prayer and reflection. And let it be a shared witness throughout prayer week and beyond.
