Praying for COP30

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Sovereign God, you chose to be born in a humble place,  

among the poor and the shepherds. 

Today you call us again… to Belém.  

This time not guided by a star, but led by urgency,  

by threatened life, by a groaning land.   (From ‘A Journey to Belem’ – prayer for COP30, A Rocha)

From the 10th to at least the 21st of November, delegates will meet in Belém, Brazil, for COP 30, the latest round of UN climate talks. Brazil, which has just announced the fourth consecutive year of reduced deforestation rates, aims to move countries from discussing the Paris Agreement to implementing it more fully, and also to promote voluntary progress through the Action Agenda.  Two key areas particularly need progress. The first is the next round of national climate plans, known as Nationally Determined Contributions. At present, not all countries have submitted theirs, and those that exist fall far short of the emissions reductions need to meet the Paris goals. We pray that governments bring to the conference a willingness to strengthen their commitments, offering clear and credible targets to reduce emissions and showing clearly how they intend to achieve their goals … including through a just transition from fossil fuels, as agreed at COP28.

The second main issue is finance. COP29 set a “new collective quantified goal” for climate finance – but it is still not clear where the funds will come from, how communities will access them, and on what terms. The past and current COP presidencies have been tasked with presenting a ‘roadmap’ – we pray for clarity and a genuine commitment to helping those who are suffering climate impacts but have not contributed significantly to climate change.

Throughout the COP, Green Christian members will be meeting each day at 8 AM UTC for ten minutes to pray for the talks. Do join in! You can also find prayer points by following the talks in their technical detail with IISD and Carbon Brief, or receive more general daily updates from EcoJesuit.

Further written prayer materials are available from A Rocha, CAFOD, EcoJesuit, Green Christian, Tearfund and Our Voices Matter.                                             .

A prayer from Revd Dr Mike Perry:

God of creation and mercy, as nations gather in Belém guide leaders to choose truth over delay and courage over comfort. Strengthen by your Spirit the will to cut emissions, protect forests, and fund adaptation and loss and damage so that communities in poverty may flourish. Give courage to the Indigenous guardians of the Amazon. Inspire your church to pray, to speak, and to live faithfully for the healing of the earth you love. We pray in the name of your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom all creation is bound together.  Amen.

Further reading: Mike Perry’s one-page summary of what COP30 is and why it matters

Lent resources with a global focus (2024)

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For environmental/creation-care Lent resources, click here.

 

Aid to the Church in Need

Pray with 40 videos: “Each day, a reading of wisdom selected from ancient and contemporary spiritual masters will invite you to walk with Jesus through the desert. You then take time for silent prayer; one minute on Day One (Ash Wednesday), and adding a minute each day, up to forty minutes’ private prayer on Holy Saturday. Joined with the whole family of God, learning to grow in faith and interceding for our suffering brothers and sisters, make this Lent matter.”

 

All We Can: Lent 2024 – What is mine to do?

“When Jesus was in the desert, it was a time of discernment and preparation before beginning his ministry in earnest. Sometimes, however, it can feel like Lent is a time of doing – of feeling the pressure to act and be productive, rather than a time of preparation and reflection. This year, All We Can are leaning into Lent’s roots as a time of discernment and inviting people to ask the question ‘what is mine to do?’ Sometimes when it comes to tackling injustice, our efforts can feel insufficient – like there is always something more we should be doing. Sometimes, we all need to hear the words ‘you can’t do everything!’ With All We Can’s Lent resource, you will have the chance to reflect on what is yours to do….”

 

CAFOD’s online Lent calendar and daily reflections

Sign up for the reflections in your inbox, or read them online. Each day has a reflection, prayer and suggested action.

 

Christian Aid’s Act on Poverty Lent Course

A new resource (not just for Lent!) for churches. Six sessions looking at a pathway to action – focus on prophetic voice, healing, generosity, and more.  Free online packs for each week include reflections, audio interviews, and films.

 

Church Mission Society: How not to give up

Sign up for weekly email reflections offering hope through stories and reflections from mission partners around the world.

 

Embrace the Middle East

Sign up for weekly Lent reflections. “Our theme this year is Healing and Hope in the One Household of God. What does Jesus’ message of healing and hope mean for our lives today and how can we invite healing and hope to rule in our hearts, our homes and our world?” Embrace also has produced a ‘Healing and Hope’ study guide which is available for purchase.

 

Tearfund’s Weekly Email Devotionals

Sign up to receive weekly reflections, stories, and prayer points on the theme of restoration.

 

USPG Study Courses

There are a variety: Freedom in Christ, Who is our neighbour? Living Stones, and more. Normally a six-session booklet with material for Bible study, reflection, a story from USPG partners around the world, and suggestions for action.

 

 

 

CCOW Guide to Online Study and Preaching Resources

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Refugees & Forced Migration

 

Bible readings and Bible studies …

 

Baptist Union of Great Britain

http://www.baptist.org.uk/Articles/448817/Welcoming_the_Stranger.aspx

As noted above. Bible studies focus on Mary and Joseph, and ‘Strangers and Aliens’

 

Bible Society

https://www.biblesociety.org.uk/content/explore_the_bible/articles_about_the_bible/2016/refugees_and_the_bible/Refugees-and-the-Bible-Course.pdf

Series of 4 Bible studies (2016) ‘Refugees and the Bible – Welcoming the stranger’, with short (1-2 minute) video introductions

 

USPG

https://d3hgrlq6yacptf.cloudfront.net/uspg/content/pages/documents/1594212911.pdf

‘Migration and Movement’ a six-week study course with Bible studies, stories and prayers.

 

 

Poems and other readings …

 

Brian Bilston

https://brianbilston.com/2016/03/23/refugees/

‘Reversible’ poem “Refugees”, which offers two perspectives on refugees and our response – a bottom-to-top reading challenging the attitudes found in a top-to-bottom reading

 

Write to Life

https://www.freedomfromtorture.org/real-voices/six-refugee-poems-a-unique-insight-into-the-life-of-refugees-and-asylum-seekers

Freedom from Torture shares six poems reflecting a variety of person experiences depicting what it’s like to be a refugee. Four are by members of their Write to Life group for former and current clients, and two are by other authors – including Warsan Shire’s poem including the lines “no one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark” and “no one puts their children in a boat unless the water is safer than the land.”

 

 

Videos …

 

CAFOD

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_P9huLYmS0

3 minute animation about forced migration, suitable for children, aimed at Catholics and encouraging supporting CAFOD to help refugees

 

Churches Together in Britain and Ireland

‘Stories of welcome’ tells the story of community sponsorship and how churches worked together to sponsor a family.

Home for Good

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MX9b1ldWpo

6 minute video (Jan 2018) by Dr. Krish Kandiah calling on Christians in the UK to welcome refugee children and young people in response to the war in Syria.

 

Inscape Animations

https://inscapeanimations.com/roots-inscape-animation.html

9 minute beautifully drawn, reflective and thought-provoking animation, on migration from the earliest times, refugees’ experience, what makes us secure and our common roots

 

Jesuit Refugee Service/Mercy in Motion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziz9a-2Zhvs

‘Open Minds, Unlock Potential’ 12 minute video in which refugees speak in their own words about their experiences, interspersed with words of theological reflection from Pope Francis.

 

Methodist Resource Hub

https://www.methodist.org.uk/for-churches/resources/videos/a-film-for-sanctuary-sunday/ 

‘What does it mean to be part of a welcoming community?’  – a video for Sanctuary Sunday. Focuses on the stories of refugees, a church that has found its mission in welcoming them, and Revd Dr Inderjit Bhogal, founder of City of Sanctuary.

 

Refugee Highway Partnership

https://rhpeurope.net/world-refugee-sunday

Nine diverse videos on the theme of refugees, between 1 and 45 minutes long, produced between 2016 and 2021 by different organisations – documentary, interview, Biblical teaching, introductory facts

 

Together with Refugees

Faith leaders speak about welcome as ‘who we are’. Done in response to the ‘Illegal Migration Bill’ but the sentiments endure.

 

Welcome Churches

https://welcomechurches.org/christmas/resources

‘Will you welcome a refugee this Christmas?’ Short video follows a refugee couple from Guatemala and the church that has welcomed them. Ends with fundraising appeal for Welcome Churches.

 

UNHCR

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvzZGplGbL8

Who is a Refugee? 3 minute animation video sutiable for age 12+

 

 

Theological resources to give background for preaching …

 

World Council of Churches

http://www.urc.org.uk/images/mission/at_home_strange/The_Other_Is_My_Neighbour_WCC.pdf

‘The Other Is My Neighbour: Developing an Ecumenical Response to Migration’ – theological reflection paper.

 

World Evangelical Alliance

http://www.europeanea.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Justice-and-Compassion-Responding-to-the-Refugee-Crisis-in-Europe.pdf

‘Justice and Compassion: Responding to the Refugee Crisis in Europe’ – sets out some basic context (as of 2015) and offers theological reflection.

Supporting Refugees: A Guide for Oxfordshire Churches

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Would you or your church like to stand alongside refugees in Oxfordshire … but aren’t sure where to begin? Take a look at our new guide, produced with our local and national partner agencies, including Asylum Welcome, British Red Cross, Connection Support, Refugee Reesource, Refugee Support Network, Sanctuary Housing and Welcome Churches.

You can download it here – or email us to ask for hard copies.

 

Dates for Prayer and Action – 2026

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CCOW’s “Dates for Prayer and Action” lists Special Sundays and other dates of interest throughout the year, with links to resources for prayer and action relating to those dates. Covering everything from Plough Sunday to World AIDS Day,  it’s a resource both for worship and activities in churches as well as for private prayer and action. Browse a month, a quarter, or the full year …

Items in Gold are Christian holidays and opportunities to pray for the church, its agencies, and its mission; items in Green are environmental; items in Red relate to health; items in Orange relate to refugees; items in Dark Blue relate to Fair Trade and economic justice.

In addition to the complete calendar below, we have a specialised environmental calendar that you can download here and a specialised Fair Trade calendar that you can download here.

JANUARY

 

1-31 January – Veganuary

Could you try a vegan diet?

1 January & first of each month – Pray and Fast for the Climate

Join people around the world praying & fasting for climate justice. Info: Pray and Fast

1 January – Circumcision/Naming of Christ

An opportunity to pray for birth registration, which gives the right to an official identity and legally recognised name, for all children. Info: UNICEF, Anglican Communion

6 January – Epiphany

During the Epiphany season, could your church reflect on the journeys of the Holy Family following the Wise Men’s visit … and the journeys of refugees today?

7 January  2026 – Orthodox Christmas

11 Jan 2026 – Plough Sunday

May be celebrated another Sunday in January. Resource pack from Diocese of Chelmsford with material for churches, youth groups, and schools.

18 Jan 2026 – Peace Sunday
Theme: ‘Peace be with you all: towards an unarmed and disarming peace’ Materials: Pax Christi

18 to 25 January – Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity

Theme: ‘One Body, One Spirit’ (local theme) ‘There is one body and one spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling’ (intl theme). Materials from CTBI (local version), World Council of Churches (intl version)

19 to 23 Jan 2026 – World Economic Forum Annual Meeting: ‘A spirit of dialogue’

Official Website Often a time when campaigners focus on economic inequality.

19 to 25 January 2026 – Energy Savers  Week: Stay warm, spend less

A time to take energy saving actions and to pray for people experiencing fuel poverty. Info: Energy Saving Trust

23 to 25 January 2026 – RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch

Join hundreds of thousands of people doing a survey to show how garden birds are faring – and rejoice in the diversity of God’s creation. Info: RSPB

24 January – International Day of Education
Theme: ‘The power of youth in co-creating education’. Info: UNESCO

25 January – Conversion of St Paul

Some churches remember Paul’s conversion on this day. It’s an opportunity to pray for God to turn the hearts of persecutors … and to pray for Syria & the Syrian church.

26 January – International Day of Clean Energy

Info: UN. Focus is on enabling people everywhere to access clean energy, and on the benefits of clean energy for ou planet. Good day to write in support of clean enery to your MP or a local paper – and to pray/campaign for adequate climate finance to help poorer countries make a just transition.

26 Jan 2025 — World Leprosy Day

Theme: ‘Beat Leprosy’ Materials from Leprosy Mission, Internat’l Federation of Anti-Leprosy Associations

27 January — Holocaust Memorial Day
Theme: ‘Bridging Generations’ Materials: Holocaust Memorial Trust

30 January – World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day

Info: WHO  Neglected tropical diseases affect more than 1 billion people, primarily women and children living in poverty. Pray for progress in tackling them.

 

FEBRUARY

1 February – Pray and Fast for the Climate

1 February 2026 – BMS Day of Prayer

Materials from BMS World Mission

1 to 28 February – Show the Love Campaign

Find out more about this year’s  Show the  Love campaign, calling on politicians to take climate action. Info: Climate Coalition.

2 February – World Wetlands Day

Theme: ‘Wetlands and traditional knowlege:celebrating cultural heritage’ Info: World Wetlands Day

6 February – International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation
Info: UN, FGMC Research Initiative, Orchid Project

8 February – Day of Prayer for Victims of Trafficking/St Josephine Bakhita Day
Materials from Australian Justice and Peace Office. See also 23 August.

8 Feb 2026 – Racial Justice Sunday
Theme: ‘Love your neighbour’. Information: CTBI’s Racial Justice Sunday 2026 page. Comes at the end of 2 to 8 February 2026 – Race Equality Week, theme ‘Change needs all of us’ Info: Race Equality Week

11 February – Day for the Unemployed
Pray especially for young people who are unable to find work. In some countries, youth unemployment can be as high as 75%.

12 February – Red Hand Day Campaign
A time to pray for an end to use of child soldiers. Materials: UNICEF.

18 February 2026 – Ash Wednesday
During Lent might you try a new rhythm of prayer? Read a Lent book? Work towards being plastic-less or meat-free? Establish new patterns of giving to charity?

20 February – World Day of Social Justice
Info from the UN. Theme: ‘Strengthening a just transition for a sustainable future’. Opportunity for prayer and action on a range of social justice issues. Suggestions: Joint Public Issues Team, National Justice and Peace Network.

27 February 2026 – CAFOD Lent Fast Day

Materials: CAFOD

 

MARCH

3 March – World Wildlife Day

Info: UN

6 March 2026 – World Day of Prayer

Theme: ‘I will give you rest: come’ (prepared by women of Nigeria) Materials: WDP

6 to 15 March 2026- British Science Week
Pray for scientists and engineers, especially those whose work relates to complex ethical issues. Information: Website

8 March – International Women’s Day

9 to 19 March 2026 – UN Commission on the Status of Women
Information: Website

15 March 2026 – Mothering Sunday

Resources from Christian Aid, the Methodist Church, the Church of England, Worship Words,

21 March – International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Info: UN, see resources for Racial Justice Sunday

21 March – International Day of Forests

Celebrate forests and trees: could you join in tree planting? Hold an outdoor service? Theme: ‘Forests and economies’  Info: FAO

24 March – World TB Day

Theme: ‘The clock is ticking’. Materials: Stop TB Partnership, WHO

25 March – International Day of Remembrance for the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
Info: UN (See also August 23rd)

28 March 2026 – Earth Hour

Annual moment of witness, focusing attention on the need to protect nature. Info from Earth Hour

30 March – International Day of Zero Waste

 

 

APRIL

2 April – World Autism Awareness Day
Info: UN

3 April 2026 – Good Friday (Western)

As you remember the sufferings of our Lord, can you pray for those persecuted for their faith in Him? Resources: CSW, Open Doors, Aid to the Church in Need

5 April 2026 – Easter (Western)

7 April – World Health Day

Theme and materials will be available from WHO. Chance to raise issues of access to healthcare.

12 April 2026 – Easter (Orthodox)

22 April – Earth Day

Theme: ‘Our Power, Our Planet’. Info: Earth Day website

24 April – Fashion Revolution Day

On anniversary of the Rana Plaza disaster, a campaign for fairness in fashion, with a key question: ‘Who made your clothes?’ Info: Fashion Revolution Week Facebook

24 to 30 April – World Immunization Week

Info: WHO. A time to pray and act for more people to be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases. Particularly important as aid budgets are cut and vaccine skepticism affects decisions. Background info: GAVI, David Wallace Wells’ Article on Malaria Vaccines.

25 April – World Malaria Day

Malaria still kills an estimated 600,000 people a year: pray and act for more rapid action to beat it. Info will be available from WHO. General information from the Global Fund and Malaria No More. See also above.

 

MAY

1 -31 May – No Mow May

Can you let your churchyard or garden grow, helping wild plants, fungi, pollinators, and local wildlife thrive? Info: Plantlife

4 to 10 May 2026? – National Hedgerow Week

Hedgerows are vital for biodiversity. Can you help local hedgerows flourish? Info for national campaign: The Tree Council. For local volunteer opportunities, look at BBOWT and  OCV.

5 May – Internat’l Day of the Midwife

Info from International Confederation of Midwives. Opportunity to pray, give, and campaign on maternal and child health.

9 May 2026– World Fair Trade Day

Worldwide celebration of Fair Trade principles and organisations. Information will be available from the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) and CCOW.

10 to 16 May 2026 – Christian Aid Week

Resources will be on Christian Aid Week website.

14 to 24 May 2026 – Thy Kingdom Come

Global and ecumenical prayer movement. Info: Thy Kingdom Come

16 May – World Debt Day

Day to pray about unfair/unsustainable debt and to campaign for debt relief. Info: Debt Justice. Worship resources on debt

17 May 2026 – World Social Communications Day
Theme: “Preserving human voices and faces””  Info wil be available from the Vatican.

20 May – World Bee Day

Info: UN. Activity suggestions: Friends of the Earth UK.

22 May – Internat’l Day for Biological Diversity

Info from the UN. Materials for churches: CCOW, Green Christian

23 to 31 May 2026 – National Children’s Gardening Week

Info: NCGW website

24 May 2026 – Pentecost

31 May – World No Tobacco Day

Theme: ‘Unmasking the appeal’  Info: WHO

 

JUNE

5 June – World Environment Day

6 to 7 June 2026 – Viva Network World Weekend of Prayer for Children at Risk
Info: Viva Network website

6 to 14 June 2026 – Great Big Green Week

Celebration of community action to protect nature and fight climate change. Info: Great Big Green Week

6 to 14 June 2026 – Churches Count on Nature

A specific ‘green’ project for churches. Celebrate your church’s green spaces and discover and record the wildlife in them. Materials: Caring for God’s Acre

7 to 14 June 2026 – Fair Tax Week
Info: Fair Tax Week

7 or 14 June 2026? – Tax Justice Sunday

Materials: Church Action for Tax Justice

8 June – World Oceans Day

Theme: ‘Strong Marine Protected Areas for our Blue Planet’ Info: World Oceans Day website

8 to 14 June 2026? – Bike Week

Info: Cycling UK

12 June – World Day against Child Labour

Materials will be available from: International Labour Organization

15 to 21 June 2026 – Refugee Week (incorporates 20 June, World Refugee Day)

Theme: ‘Courage’ Info and materials: Refugee Week

16 June – World Refill Day

Info: World Refill Day

21 June 2026 – Sanctuary Sunday

22 June – World Rainforest Day

Info: World Rainforest Day

23 June – International Widows Day
Widowhood in many countries brings vulnerability and loss of rights. Info from UN

26 June – International Day of Support for Victims of Torture

Prayer and action: Action by Christians against Torture, Freedom from Torture.

 

JULY

1-31 July – Plastic-Free July

Info: Plastic-free July

4 to 10 July 2026 – Net Zero Week

UK’s awareness-raising week and biggest net zero conference (hybrid/free). Info: Net Zero Week

12 July 2026 – Sea Sunday
Materials from: Apostleship of the Sea, Mission to Seafarers, Sailors’ Society.

25 July to 19 August 2026? – National Maritime Week

Info: Wildlife Trusts

 

AUGUST

6 August – Hiroshima Day
Materials: Methodist Church

9 August – International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
Info: UN, Indigenous Climate Action  Prayer materials: Anglican Church of Canada Indigenous Ministries, Christian Reformed Church Indigenous Ministry, Final Document of the Synod on the Amazon

12 August – International Youth Day
Info: UN. Could youth in your church lead prayers for young people worldwide?

19 August – World Humanitarian Day
Pray for humanitarian workers’ efforts worldwide. Info from UN. Prayer resources: CCOW

23 August – International Day for Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition
See also 25 March. Materials on modern slavery from Stop the Traffik, Clewer Initiative

24 to 28 August 2026 – World Water Week

Theme: ‘Water for People and Progress’  Info: World Water Week website, Church materials: Water Aid. Pray for water conservation and safe access to clean water for all; raise funds for water access.

29 August – International Day against Nuclear Tests
Info: Global Dimension

30 Aug – International Day of the Disappeared
Materials from the UN, Amnesty, Human Rights Watch
This year, might you want to watch and discuss ‘I’m still here’? The film follows the family of a dissident politician who is ‘disappeared’ by the military dictatorship in Brazil in the 1970s. Beautifully acted and directed (it won the Academy Award for best international film), very powerful.

 

SEPTEMBER

1 September to 4 October – Season of Creation/Time for Creation

(Includes Day of Prayer for Creation on 1 Sept and opportunity to pray & fast on 1 Sept/4 Oct) Materials available from Season of Creation; CTBI; Catholic Bishops Conference (E and W), Church of England; CCOW

1 – 30 Sept – Organic Month

Time to consider organic farming and questions around sustainable food. See also British Food Fortnight below.

7 to 11 September 2026 – Zero Waste Week

Info: Zero Waste Week

13 September 2026 – Education Sunday (see also World Literacy Day, 8 September)
Pray for education locally and worldwide. Materials from Churches Together in England.

20 September 2026 – Peacemaking Sunday
(Sunday closest to 21 September, the UN Internat’l Day of Peace: for general peacemaking, see materials from CHIPS, UK Quakers, QUNO, and Mennonite Peace and Justice Support Network). Peacemaking Sunday materials: Joint Public Issues Team,  Fellowship of Reconciliation.

22 September – World Car Free Day

A chance to hold a ‘Walk to Church Sunday’ or ‘Walk to school day’ during this period?

 

OCTOBER

1 to 31 October – Black History Month

Theme:  ‘Reclaiming narratives’. Info: Black History Month

1 October – International Day of Older Persons
Info: UN, Help Age International

2 October 2026? – CAFOD Harvest Fast Day

4 October – Feast of St Francis, Pray and Fast for the Climate, End of Season of Creation/Time for Creation

See 1 September. You might want to look at CCOW’s Canticle of Creation powerpoint

7 October – World Day for Decent Work

Organised by the International TUC. Information

11 to 17 October 2026 – Prisons Week
Materials from Prisons Week; see also Prison Fellowship International

16 October – World Food Day (part of Churches’ Week of Action on Food)
Materials: World Council of Churches

17 October – Internat’l Day for the Eradication of Poverty

Info: UN. Pray and act in conjunction with anti- poverty groups locally and globally.

18 October 2026? – World Mission Sunday(Roman Catholic Church)

Info/materials from Missio

19 to 25 October 2026 – One World Week (incorporates 24 October, UN Day)
One World Week closed in September 2023, but the resources are still available on the One World Week website

25 October 2026 – Bible Sunday (Roman Catholic Church celebrates in December)

Materials: Bible Society

 

NOVEMBER

1 November 2026? – International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP)

Info: CSW

8 November 2026 – Remembrance Sunday
Resources from CTBI; links from CCOW, Pax Christi

18-24 November – World Anti-Microbial Resistance Week

Info: WHO. Pray and act for care in the use of antibiotics.

22 November 2026 – World Youth Day (Roman Catholic)

Theme: ““Take courage! I have overcome the world!” Info: USCCB

22 November 2026 – Women against Violence Sunday
Materials: Methodist Church

25 November – 10 December – Sixteen Days of Activism against Gender Violence
Info/materials from Anglican Communion, CABSA, CCOW, Methodist Church, Mothers’ Union, Restored.

27 November 2026 – Buy Nothing Day
Take a break from shopping – save money and reduce consumption. Info: Buy Nothing Day

29 November 2026 – Advent Sunday

DECEMBER

1 December – World AIDS Day

Worship materials, resources and links: CABSA.

3 December – International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Info: WHO. See also the Methodist Church’s Belonging: Ten Ways to Belong, Diocese of Oxford Disability and Church page.

3 December – World Day of Migrants and Refugees (Roman Catholic)

Info: Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales

5 December – World Soil Day

Info: UN

9 December – International Anti-Corruption Day

Info from UN. Also a good time to pray for Resource Justice Network (formerly Publish What You Pay) and other organisations fighting corruption

10 December – Human Rights Day
Info from UN, Human Rights Watch, Forum18 (Freedom of Religion or Belief)

18 December – International Migrants Day

Info: UN. See also materials for 3 December and Migration Observatory.

25 December – Christmas

25 December to 5 January – 12 Days Wild

A festive nature challenge! Do small acts each day to connect with nature. Info: BBOWT

26 December – St Stephen’s Day

Many churches remember St Stephen, the first martyr. An opportunity to pray for those who suffer for their faith in Christ. Resources: CSW, Open Doors, Aid to the Church in Need

28 December – Holy Innocents

A day to pray for children who are victims of persecution, oppression and conflict.

 

 

Praying for the DRC and South Sudan

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This page was originally created when Pope Francis called all Christians and people of good will to pray and fast for peace for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and for South Sudan on Friday, 23rd February. His call was welcomed by the Anglican Communion and others. To help people participate, we collected some prayer resources, which you can download below.

These prayer resources are, on the whole, not specific to the Day of Prayer but can help us to pray for peace in these countries in an ongoing way. Please do use them at any time which is appropriate for you and your church.

 

Image: South Sudan, UN Photo/JC McIlwaine, 23 August 2014, Bentiu, South Sudan under Creative Commons License.

Action to End Violence against Women and Girls

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CCOW has brought together materials for prayer, study and action to end violence against women and girls. This builds on our older resources for the 16 Days of Action against Gender-Based Violence.

Download it here.

Online Worship Materials: Refugees & Migration

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There is a wealth of material available for churches wanting to pray for and with refugees. This guide points towards a selection of the services, prayers, Bible studies, videos, and theological reflections that are readily available online. Download it here.

Praying in Times of Extreme Weather

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Praying in Times of Extreme Weather is a  gathering of prayer points and links to online prayer material for use before, during or after an extreme weather event. It includes materials that can be used by those directly affected and/or by those praying for them. Download it here.