The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (WPCU) takes place each year from 18 to 25 January. This ecumenical celebration provides an opportunity to focus our prayers on Christian unity and to know that we are joining with international siblings in Christ. WPCU is also a great chance to speak about and experience Christian unity personally, in your village, town or county.
This year WPCU takes Ephesians 4 v 1-13 as its central text which includes the words “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling.” (Ephesians 4:4). The World Council of Churches prayers and reflections for WPCU 2026 have been prepared by the faithful of the Armenian Apostolic (Orthodox) Church, along with their brothers and sisters of the Armenian Catholic and Evangelical Churches. These resources 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.
An ecumenical group of writers brought together by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI), and including Doral Hayes from Churches Together in England, have also created additional resources to further encourage reflection in the British and Irish context. The resources, which include two different suggested service outlines, are designed so that they can be amended to meet the needs of each local context.
Each year, our partners Christian Aid provide the Go and Do action points for each of the daily reflections – linking into the important work of Christian Aid in the relief of poverty and advocacy of justice.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026 extends an invitation to draw upon this shared Christian heritage and to reflect on our fellowship in Christ, which unites Christians worldwide.
What could you do for WPCU 2026?
Each January individuals pray, and churches and ecumenical organisations celebrate the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in a variety of ways. These include events large and small, a simple prayer meeting, an ecumenical breakfast, a prayer walk, speaker events, online prayer relays, preaching swaps in villages and towns, using social media to share online reflections and prayers from church leaders as well as joint services bringing together Christians from across the traditions in prayer and worship.
WPCU social media
Show your support for Christian unity by posting messages and details of your events to the WPCU X wall – simply add the #wpcuwall hashtag to your X post (note there is a delay before they appear). You can also find updates about the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity on X by following the #wpcu2026 hashtag.
At CTE we would love to hear how you are praying together in your locality during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Please contact [email protected] with your local stories.
What will you be doing this coming January to pray for deeper Christian unity, and who will you be praying with?