WCC News: Churches in southern hemisphere will celebrate Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Churches and Christians in the southern hemisphere are invited to observe the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity from 17-24 May, following the tradition to center this special time around Ascension and Pentecost. Ecumenical prayer service at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Geneva, Switzerland during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, 21 January 2026. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 06 May 2026 The theme for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity for 2026 comes from Apostle Paul’s 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). In a world with diverse and often divided traditions and expressions of Christian faith, Ephesians 4:4 reminds us that all believers are part of the “one body” of Christ. “Let us embrace this divine calling to unity, not as an abstract ideal but as a vital expression of our faith,” invites the theme of this year. “By living in unity, we not only witness to the love and power of our Lord Jesus Christ, but also embody the essence of His teachings.” For the year 2026, the prayers and reflections for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity were prepared by the Armenian Apostolic Church, along with the Armenian Catholic and Evangelical Churches. The resources are jointly published by the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and the World Council of Churches (WCC).  The 2026 resources are available online in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, and Arabic. Enabling millions of Christians around the world to join the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the resources are available also on the Bible App by YouVersion, offering a daily Bible reading plan, prayers, and questions for reflection. Mindful of the need for flexibility, organizers of the Week of Prayer invite everyone to use this material to pray together for the unity among churches throughout the year. Learn more about the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026 Reading plan on the Youversion Bible app Social media cards and photos See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland