WCC News: “You are not alone,” prayer for the Caribbean region affirms

A joint prayer for the Caribbean region with ambassadors and staff from various Caribbean Permanent Missions in Geneva was held on 16 February at the office of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States. WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay provided reflection during the prayer at the office of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 16 February 2026 Organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Moravian Church in Switzerland, the prayer brought together representatives from several Caribbean Permanent Missions to the UN and International Organizations in Geneva. Included among them were representatives from the Permanent Delegation of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States to the UN, the Permanent Missions of the Bahamas, Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Haiti, and Jamaica. Clergy representatives from the Moravian Church in Switzerland were also present in person and online, and led parts of the morning prayer along with the Caribbean staff from the WCC.  H.E. Colin Murdoch, permanent observer of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States to the UN in Geneva, offered words of welcome. An online greeting was delivered by Rt. Rev. Philip Wright, archbishop, primate, and metropolitan of the church in the Province of the West Indies and WCC regional president for the Caribbean and Latin America. Reflecting on the Gospel of Matthew, in which Jesus takes his disciples up a mountain to witness his transfiguration, WCC general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay invited those gathered to consider the mountaintop as a place of prayer, vision, and clarity. “It is the place of movement from fear to faith, from darkness to light, from despair to hope, from sorrow to joy, from discouragement to renewal,” he said. “The mountaintop is a place of empowerment and strength,” Pillay continued. “As we climb a difficult mountain, when we reach the top and speak with the Lord, we find strength and empowerment to face the giants of this world.” He assured participants: “We are here today to pray with you and to say that you are not climbing this mountain alone.” He reminded them that Jesus called his disciples to go and fulfil their mission. “We are not called to escape the world; we are called to carry the light of Christ into a broken and suffering world.” In the midst of despair, disasters, war and climate catastrophe, we as disciples of Christ are called to work for justice and peace, to bring relief and aid, and to reach out to the poor, the displaced, and those in despair, Pillay said. “We are called to challenge the powers that be, saying strongly and prophetically: might is not right.” Photo gallery: Ecumenical prayer for the Caribbean region  WCC member churches in the Caribbean Participants of the Ecumenical prayer for the Caribbean region included representatives from the Permanent Delegation of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States to the UN, the Permanent Missions of the Bahamas, Barbados, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Haiti, and Jamaica, as well as clergy from the Moravian Church in Switzerland and the WCC staff. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 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

World Evangelical Alliance - 🙏Final Reminder to Join us in Prayer Tomorrow as We Seek God’s Will Together

 

Dear Friend, Greetings from the World Evangelical Alliance. In a world increasingly shaped by uncertainty, conflict, and ongoing crises, we pause to turn our hearts toward God. This is an opportunity to step away from the noise and join in prayer for our world seeking God’s wisdom, peace and direction, trusting His will to be at work even in challenging times. ‘Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.’ Matthew 24:35 We warmly invite you to join us for an online time of prayer and reflection. As we begin the year 2026, this gathering will be an opportunity to seek God together, give thanks for His faithfulness, and commit the year ahead to Him as we look forward to deeper engagement, collaboration, and shared mission in the months to come. Date: Tomorrow, Friday, 30 January, 2026 Time: 9AM CST, 3PM GMT, 4PM CET, 5PM IST (Israel), 11PM SGT To participate and receive the meeting details, kindly register in advance using this link. Thank you for your faithful commitment to the global evangelical movement. We look forward to continuing this journey with you together, we seek to glorify Christ and make Him known among all nations. With warm regards and prayers, Over two billion Christians in the world today are represented by three world church bodies. The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) is one of those, serving more than 650 million evangelicals belonging to churches that are part of 163 national Evangelical Alliances in 9 regions. Launched in London in 1846, the WEA unites evangelicals across denominations for prayer, evangelism, mission, theological education, religious freedom, human rights advocacy, relief, and engagement in a wide range of social issues. It speaks with one voice to United Nations, governments, and media in public or through behind-the-scenes diplomacy on issues of common concern to the Church. For more information, visit worldea.org WEA has been a charter member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability since 1980. WEA is audited annually by an independent public accounting firm. WEA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. In the United States, your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

© Copyright 2026 World Evangelical Alliance

WCC News: Prayer highlights Christian unity as a necessity, not a luxury

A morning prayer at the Ecumenical Centre on 19 January highlighted the annual observance of the 2026 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. In a reflection, Rev. Archimandrite Garegin Hambardzumyan from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Armenia, highlighted how the resources for the special week draw on the spiritual and theological heritage of St Nerses the Gracious. Rev. Archimandrite Garegin Hambardzumyan from the Inter-Church Relations Department of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 19 January 2026 For the year 2026, the prayers and reflections for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity were prepared by the Inter-Church Relations Department of the Armenian Apostolic Church, along with their brothers and sisters of the Armenian Catholic and Evangelical Churches.  “Together with our international sisters and brothers from the World Council of Churches and the Vatican, we approached it with humility, aware that what we were offering belonged not to us alone, but to the whole Body of Christ,” said Hambardzumyan. “We are grateful that the prayers, hymns, and reflections born within our tradition are now being received, prayed, and lived by Christians across the world.” The theme for 2026 comes from Saint 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."  Hambardzumyan reflected that these words invite us first to recognition before action.  “Unity, Saint Paul tells us, is not primarily our achievement,” he said. “It is God's gift.” At the same time, Hambardzumyan noted, Saint Paul is deeply realistic. “He knows that unity, though given, can be wounded,” said Hambardzumyan. “Unity does not grow through pressure, haste, or forced agreement. It grows through humility that listens, patience that endures, and love that is willing to carry the weight of difference.” Hambardzumyan noted that this path is beautifully illuminated by St Nerses the Gracious, Shnorhali, whose prayers, hymns, and theological vision shape the materials for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  “For St Nerses, unity did not mean uniformity. He rejected any notion that unity could be achieved by diminishing doctrinal integrity or erasing liturgical and cultural identity. On the contrary, he insisted that each church must be respected in its doctrine, worship, discipline, and historical experience. Differences, he taught, are not obstacles when they are embraced with humility; they become gifts that enrich the Body of Christ rather than fragment it.” Hambardzumyan said the Armenian churches wish to convey to their Christian sisters and brothers worldwide not only theological reflections, but a word of fraternity and encouragement. “Our history has taught us what it means to suffer and to struggle for survival. It has also taught us the strength that comes from solidarity, faithfulness, and shared prayer,” he said. “In a world marked by war, injustice, and deep polarization, Christian unity is not a luxury. It is a necessity for credible witness to the Gospel.” In conclusion, Hambardzumyan noted that Saint Paul urges us to "make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”—a demanding call. “It requires perseverance, humility, and trust that the Holy Spirit is at work even when progress feels slow or fragile,” he said. “As we pray together during this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, may we renew our commitment to this path. May we resist discouragement and impatience. May we learn again how to listen deeply, how to wait faithfully, and how to love generously.” Resources for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity are jointly published annually by the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity and the World Council of Churches. Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026 invites Christians to one hope, one calling (WCC news release, 14 January 2026) Learn more about the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026 Reading plan on the Youversion Bible app Social media cards and photos Photos from the Prayer service at the Ecumenical Centre 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

WCC News: Swiss Protestant Churches invite prayer in wake of tragic fire

Swiss Protestant Churches are organizing a prayer, accompanied by ringing of church bells across Switzerland and the world, on 9 January, in the wake of a tragic fire in Crans-Montana, a ski resort where 40 people died in a New Year’s Day blaze.  Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC 05 January 2026 The fire was one of the worst such disasters in Switzerland’s history.  Swiss Protestant Churches are inviting all to join in prayer and keep those mourning in their thoughts. The prayer, available online, acknowledges the face of the magnitude of the tragedy, and the suffering of those affected. “We pray for all the families, from here and elsewhere, who are living in terrible uncertainty about whether their children are still alive; who fear that they may be hovering between life and death; who are separated from them because they are being treated far from home,” reads the prayer. “Father of heaven and earth, hear the cry of pain and hope that rises from each and every one of us.” Swiss Protestant Churches: Prayer for those affected in Crans-Montana 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