Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

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July 13, 2026

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The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is an annual observance, typically held from January 18–25. It was instituted in 1846 by the Evangelical Alliance and is observed by various Christian traditions worldwide.12

This week is dedicated to prayer, Bible study, worship, and fellowship, with the aim of fostering unity among Christians. The concept of ecumenism, which underlies this observance, stems from the Greek word oikoumenē, meaning "the whole inhabited world," reflecting a vision of one church serving God globally. The observance encourages Christians to come together, bridging differences in traditions and backgrounds in anticipation of the unity Christ desires.2

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Protestant churches
…observed during the Octave or Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, January 18–25—a custom started by Paul James Wattson of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement and developed by Abbé Paul Couturier. The week is jointly sponsored by the World Council of Churches and the Vatican Secretariat for Promoting Christian…
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…observed during the Octave or Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, January 18–25—a custom started by Paul James Wattson of the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement and developed by Abbé Paul Couturier. The week is jointly sponsored by the World Council of Churches and the Vatican Secretariat for Promoting Christian…
Read More