Category: Week of Prayer 2026

Welcome to our 5th day of reflections in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Today’s reader is Alan Mathew. Please watch each video, and reflect when we hear music. There are points to ponder and questions/go and do actions at the end.

Verse for the Day

‘One Lord, one faith, one baptism’ (Ephesians 4:5).

Scripture Passages

· Zechariah 14:6-9

· Psalm 100

· Matthew 28:16-20

Prayer

Spirit of God, and true God,

who descended on the River Jordan and entered into the upper room;

who enlightened us by the baptism of the water of life,

we have sinned against heaven and before You.

Purify us again with Your divine fire,

as You did the Apostles with fiery tongues.

Have mercy on us and all Your creatures.

Amen.

Questions

• Personal: What does reflecting on your own baptism or Christian initiation mean for you today?
• Local: How does your church community celebrate the unity of all creation within a local context?
• Global: Given the diverse understanding of baptism among Christians, how can this sacrament still be an expression of unity?

Go and Do

(see www.ctbi.org.uk/goanddo)

with creation.

Personal: Keep a journal for a week (or for seven days spread out over a period of time), reflecting each day on the meaning of your baptism or Christian initiation

Local: Discuss what collaborative initiatives the churches in your community could undertake to celebrate your shared faith in Jesus Christ.

Global: Organise an event celebrating the global unity of the churches with creation.

Welcome to day 4 of our reflections in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Today’s reader is Stanley Cook. Please watch each video, and reflect when we hear music. There are points to ponder and questions/go and do actions at the end.

CALLED TO ONE HOPE

Verse for the Day

‘There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling’ (Ephesians 4:4).

Scripture Passages

Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Psalm 24:1-6

John 17:20-26

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,

You bring us together in all our diversity,

as family and church.

In the face of so many situations on earth,

where hope has given way to despair

and hearts are wounded and emptied by disappointment,

renew our strength and unify us.

Help us to share Your hope wherever we find ourselves.

You are the true Light,

who casts out the darkness of sin,

despair and brokenness, 

who shines into our hearts, releasing the joy

and the true hope of Your eternal love for all.

Amen.

Questions

• Personal: What must you lay down in order to embrace the unity of all God’s people?
• Local: What are the most challenging issues facing your locality that threaten to undermine the unity and well-being of all?
• Global: Does your church unity transcend all national and cultural boundaries?

Go and Do

(see www.ctbi.org.uk/goanddo)

Global: Choose one of the campaigns by Christian Aid or CAFOD and promote them in your church, parish or local ecumenical group.

Personal: Go and share your experience of God with one person.

Local: Go out with a group from your church and share the good news of God in your community.

Welcome to our 3rd day of reflections in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Today’s reader is Anne Guy. Please watch each video, and reflect when we hear music. There are points to ponder and questions/go and do actions at the end.

The bond of peace

Verse for the Day

… making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace’ (Ephesians 4:3).

Scripture Passages

Isaiah 11:6-9

Psalm 86:8-13

John 14:27-31

Lord Jesus Christ,

You are the Prince of Peace.

Strengthen the bond of peace among us and in our troubled world.

Disturb the hearts of all who would make war; touch the wounds of all who are afflicted by war.

We pray especially for the people of Armenia and Artsakh,

and their kindred throughout the world.

Let the light of Your love shine in all the dark places of our world,

and hasten the day when all peoples may dwell in peace with justice. Amen.

Questions

• Personal: When you feel you are at peace with yourself, how important is it that you are at peace with others as well?
• Local: How does the Apostle Paul’s teaching that peace is a fruit of the Spirit impact our daily interactions and relationships within our communities, especially where there is a need for reconciliation or forgiveness?
• Global: ‘Peace is a great concept but is not a practicable possibility in the world today.’ How would you challenge that assertion?

Go and Do

(see www.ctbi.org.uk/goanddo)

Global: The world today faces growing tensions, conflict and actual warfare. What one thing could your church or group of churches commit to doing to challenge that reality?

Personal: Create an image (for example, a picture, photo or work of art) which symbolises peace for you, and share it in whatever way you feel is appropriate.

Local: Identify an area of tension within your local church community, or the community at large, and consider how practically to bring true peace to that situation.

Welcome to our 2nd day of reflections in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Today’s reader is Hugh Ainsley. Please watch each video, and reflect when we hear music. There are points to ponder and questions/go and do actions at the end.

Bearing with one another in love

Verse for the Day

‘… with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love’ (Ephesians 4:2).

Scripture Passages

Zechariah 7:8-10

Psalm 25:6-10

Luke 10:30-36

Lord Jesus Christ,

show us how to be patient with one another in humility and gentleness.

May the light You shine on our path lead us towards unity

and help us heal the wounds of division and indifference

that often break communities apart.

Amen.

Questions

• Personal: What are the personal relationships or issues that exhaust your empathy?
• Local: How can the virtues of humility, gentleness, patience and tolerance, as mentioned in the letter to the Ephesians, help us as believers navigate and overcome divisions within our local communities?
• Global: The innkeeper in Luke 10 was called to care, with only the word of a stranger that he would be repaid whatever more he spent. Discuss different interpretations and questions this verse evokes. What might those interpretations lead you to do in your relationships with your global neighbours?

Go and Do

(see www.ctbi.org.uk/goanddo)

Global: There are issues in our world today that cause ‘overload apathy’ – the feeling that it is too big to do anything about so we shield ourselves. An orthodox rabbi was asked once how he observed the 613 commandments in the Torah. His answer: ‘Pick one and start.’ Go and do the same.

Personal: Complete a task you have been avoiding.

Local: Consider initiatives in your community that require perseverance and consistency and explore ways to become usefully supportive.