‘One body and one Spirit’: Churches prepare to mark The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity 2026

Posted on: January 9, 2026 3:24 PM

Christians are invited to to reflect on Jesus’ prayer ‘that they may all be one’

Related Categories: ecumenism, prayer, Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

The 2026 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity will run from 18-25 January and will be observed by Christian traditions worldwide. This ecumenical initiative invites Christian traditions to pray for the unity of the Church and to reflect on Jesus’ prayer ‘that they may all be one’ (John 17:21). This year’s theme is inspired by Ephesians 4: ‘There is one Body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling.’

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has been encouraging prayer and reflection on Christian harmony and collaboration for decades. Resources are devised through an international ecumenical collaboration that involves local input and global refinement. An ecumenical group from a different region or country is invited to draft the initial liturgical text and a biblical theme for a specific year. The resource is then reviewed and published by an international editorial team composed of representatives from The Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity (DCPU – from the Roman Catholic Church) and the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches (WCC).

This year, Armenian Churches have played a central role in the development of the 2026 prayer resources, which are available online. Combining an ecumenical worship service and daily prayers and reflections, the resource demonstrates the importance of putting divisions aside, fostering mutual respect and working together as servants of Christ to make a difference in the world. The Armenian Apostolic Church is one of the earliest established Churches, dating back to the 4^th century, with roots tracing back to the Apostolic era. The DPCU and Faith and Order Commission of the WCC call the Armenian Church a ‘venerable institution’ that ‘transcends religious organisation’ and ‘embodies national resilience, cultural heritage and spiritual fortitude’.

An excerpt from the resource says: ‘Let us embrace this divine calling to unity, not as an abstract ideal but as a vital expression of our faith. In a world where the Body of Christ is wounded by divisions within and between traditions and confessions, the Apostle’s call to unity is addressed to each of us, not only as separated church communities, but also as individuals within our communities. 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. As we support one another and celebrate our diverse gifts and talents, let us reflect the heart of Christ and further His work on earth.’

Christian Unity and the Anglican Communion

Around the Anglican Communion, many churches will mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity as an expression of their ongoing commitment to the importance of ecumenism.

Beyond the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, there are a number of ways in which the Anglican Communion supports the ecumenical movement throughout the year. Assisted by the Anglican Communion Office’s Unity, Faith and Order team, Anglicans are represented in a number of dialogues with other Christian traditions, including the Roman Catholic Church, the Lutherans, Methodists and Oriental Orthodox, among others. A delegation also recently attended the Sixth World Conference on Faith and Order.

The International Anglican-Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission (IARCCUM) is an official commission of the Anglican Communion and the Catholic Church, established to deepen the relationship between Anglicans and Catholics. Part of IARCCUM’s mission is to bring together bishops across the two communions (known as bishop pairs) to progress theological conversations and promote shared mission. These bishop pairs are partners in fostering greater understanding, working together to serve their communities, and exploring how churches can work together to address global issues, such as conflict, climate change or the refugee crisis.

Another body of work in inter-denominational dialogue is the Inter-Anglican Standing Commission on Unity, Faith and Order (IASCUFO), which meets annually to promote the deepening of communion between Anglican churches, and between Anglicans and other churches, including with regard to ecumenical dialogue, co-operation and agreement. The Commission recently met in Rome and gathered bishops and theologians from around the world for theological and ecclesiological reflection.

In terms of inter-Anglican unity, the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC), as one of the instruments of the Anglican Communion, also meets regularly to facilitate the co-operative work of the churches of the Anglican Communion, exchange information between the provinces and churches, and help to coordinate common action. The Council advises on the organisation and structures of the Communion, and seeks to develop common policies regarding the world mission of the Church, including ecumenical matters. ACC-19 will be the next in person meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council, gathering in June and July 2026 to discuss, among other topics, the offering of the Nairobi Cairo Proposals. The Proposals were prepared by IASCUFO as a response to the growth and changing nature of the Communion and offer ‘seemingly small but significant changes’ to the way we work and understand ourselves as a Communion.