Texts for 2026 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

The Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity (DPCU) is pleased to publish the texts for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026. In the northern hemisphere, the Week of Prayer traditionally takes place from 18 to 25 January, while in the southern hemisphere, where January is frequently a holiday period, churches often celebrate the Week of Prayer around Pentecost.

The theme of the 2026 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity comes from the Letter to the Ephesians: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Eph 4:4). The prayers and reflections were prepared by an ecumenical group coordinated by the Inter-Church Relations’ Department of the Armenian Apostolic Church As usual, an international team appointed jointly by the DPCU and the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches worked with the drafters to finalise the materials at a meeting held from 13 to 18 October 2024 at the Holy See of Etchmiadzin, Armenia.

The materials draw upon centuries-old traditions of prayer used by the Armenian people, along with hymns that originated in the ancient monasteries and churches of Armenia, some of which date as far back as the fourth century. The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026 therefore offers an invitation to draw upon this shared Christian heritage and to delve more deeply into our fellowship in Christ, which unites Christians worldwide.

The materials include an introduction to the theme, an ecumenical worship service and a selection of short readings and prayers for each day of the week. The resources can be drawn upon in many ways, and are intended for use not only during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, but also throughout 2026.