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?
6 Jan 2024 – Plough Sunday
May be celebrated another Sunday in January. Pray for all who farm worldwide. Resources: Arthur Rank Centre
7 January – Christmas (Orthodox)
14 Jan 2024 – Peace Sunday
Theme: ‘Artificial Intelligence and Peace’ Materials: Pax Christi
15 to 19 Jan 2024 – World Economic Forum Annual Meeting: ‘Rebuilding Trust’
Official Website Often a time when campaigners focus on economic inequality.
15 to 21 January 2024 – Energy Savers Week
A time to take energy saving actions and to pray for people experiencing fuel poverty. Info: Citizens Advice Bureau
18 to 25 January – Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity
Theme: ‘Go and do likewise’ (local theme) ‘You shall love the Lord your God … and your neighbor as yourself’ (intl theme). Materials from CTBI (local version), World Council of Churches (intl version)
24 January – International Day of Education
Theme: ‘Learning for lasting peace’. 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. Good day to pray/campaign for adequate climate finance to help poorer countries make a just transition.
26 to 28 January – RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch
Join hundreds of thousands of people doing a survey to show how garden birds are faring. Info: RSPB
27 January — Holocaust Memorial Day
Theme: ‘Fragility of Freedom’ Materials: Holocaust Memorial Trust
28 Jan 2024 — World Leprosy Day
Theme: ‘Beat Leprosy’ Materials from Leprosy Mission, Internat’l Federation of Anti-Leprosy Associations
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
>2 February – World Wetlands Day
Theme: ‘Wetlands and Human Wellbeing’ Info: World Wetlands Day
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.
4 February 2024- BMS Day of Prayer
Materials from BMS World Mission
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.
11 Feb 2024 – Racial Justice Sunday
Theme: ‘Exodus’. Information: CTBI’s Racial Justice Sunday 2024 page. Comes at the end of 5 to 11 February 2024 – Race Equality Week. Info: Race Equality Week
11 Feb 2024 – Church Action on Poverty Sunday
Theme: ‘Dreamers who do’. Materials : Church Action on Poverty Includes a Lent programme which helps churches engage with issues of economic justice.
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, UN (Special Representative: Children and Armed Conflict)
14 February 2024: 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; opportunity for prayer and action on a range of social justice issues. Suggestions: Joint Public Issues Team, National Justice and Peace Network.
23 Feb 2024 — CAFOD Lent Fast Day
Materials: CAFOD
MARCH
1 March 2024 – World Day of Prayer
Theme: ‘I beg you, bear with one another in love’ (prepared by women of Palestine) Materials: WDP
3 March – World Wildlife Day
Info: UN [supplement]
8-17 March 2024- 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
11 to 24 March 2024 – UN Commission on the Status of Women
Information: Website
10 March 2024 – Mothering Sunday
Resources from Mothers’ Union, Christian Aid,
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: ‘Healthy Forests for Healthy People’ Info: FAO
23 March 2024 – Earth Hour
Annual moment of witness, focusing attention on the need to protect nature. Info from Earth Hour
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
Theme to be determined. Info: UN (See also August 23rd)
29 March 2024 – Good Friday
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
30 March – International Day of Zero Waste
31 March 2024 – Easter
APRIL
2 April – World Autism Awareness Day
Info: UN
7 April – World Health Day
Theme and materials will be available from WHO. Chance to raise issues of access to healthcare.
22 April – Earth Day
Theme: ‘Planet versus Plastics’. 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?’
24 to 30 April 2024 – World Immunization Week
Info: WHO. A time to pray and act for more people to be protected from vaccine-preventable diseases. Background info: GAVI, 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
5 May 2024 – Easter (Orthodox)
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.
6 to 12 May 2024 – 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.
9 to 19 May 2024 – Thy Kingdom Come
Global and ecumenical prayer movement. Info: Thy Kingdom Come
11 May 2024– 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.
12 to 18 May 2024 — Christian Aid Week
Resources will be on Christian Aid Week website.
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
12 May 2024 – World Communications Day
Theme: ‘Artificial Intelligence and wisdom of the heart: for a fully human communication’ Info from the Vatican
19 May 2024 – Pentecost
20 May – World Bee Day
Info: UN. Activity suggestions: Friends of the Earth UK.
22 May – Internat’l Day for Biological Diversity
Theme: ‘From agreement to action: build back biodiversity’ Info from the UN. Materials for churches: CCOW, A Rocha, Green Christian
25 May to 2 June – National Children’s Gardening Week
Info: NCGW website
31 May – World No Tobacco Day
Info: WHO
JUNE
1 to 2 June 2024 – Viva Network World Weekend of Prayer for Children at Risk
Theme: ‘Light of the World’ Info: Viva Network website
2 June 2024 – Environment Sunday
(Sunday closest to World Environment Day, 5 June)
Links to worship materials
8 June – World Oceans Day
Info: World Oceans Day website
8 to 16 June – Great Big Green Week
Celebration of community action to protect nature and fight climate change. Info: Great Big Green Week
8 to 16 June – 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
9 June 2024 – Tax Justice Sunday
Materials: Church Action for Tax Justice
10 to 16 June 2024 – Bike Week
Info: Cycling UK
12 June – World Day against Child Labour
Materials will be available from: International Labour Organization
17 to 23 June 2024 — Refugee Week (incorporates 20 June, World Refugee Day)
Theme: ‘Our Home’ Info and materials: Refugee Week
22 June – World Rainforest Day
Info: World Rainforest Day
23 June 2024 – Sanctuary Sunday
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
14 July 2024 – Sea Sunday
Materials from: Apostleship of the Sea, Mission to Seafarers, Sailors’ Society.
27 July to 11 August 2024 – 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
Materials on modern slavery from Stop the Traffik; The Clewer Initiative
23 to 27 August 2024 – World Water Week
Theme: ‘Bridging Borders: Water for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future’ 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
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; Climate Sunday; CCOW
1 – 30 Sept – Organic Month
Time to consider organic farming and questions around sustainable food. See also British Food Fortnight below.
2 to 6 September 2024 – Zero Waste Week
Info: Zero Waste Week
8 Sept 2024 – Education Sunday (also World Literacy Day, 8 September)
Pray for education locally and worldwide. Materials from Churches Together in England.
9 to 22 September 2024 – Fairtrade Fortnight
Now located in Harvest season! Info: Fairtrade Foundation. Church-focused materials: CCOW
22 Sept 2024 — Peacemaking Sunday
(Closest to UN’s Internat’l Day of Peace: for general peacemaking, see materials from CHIPS, Catholic Social Teaching, 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’?
OCTOBER
1 October – International Day of Older Persons
Info: UN, Help Age International
4 October 2024 – 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
13 to 19 Oct 2024 – 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.
23 to 29 October 2024 – 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
20 October 2024 – World Mission Sunday(Roman Catholic Church)
Info/materials from Missio
27 October 2024 – Bible Sunday (Roman Catholic Church celebrates in December)
Materials: Bible Society
NOVEMBER
3 November 2024 – International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church (IDOP)
Info: CSW
10 Nov 2024 – Remembrance Sunday
Resources from CTBI; links from CCOW, Pax Christi
18-24 November 2024 – World Anti-Microbial Resistance Week
Info: WHO. Pray and act for care in the use of antibiotics.
22 November 2024 – Buy Nothing Day
Take a break from shopping – save money and reduce consumption. Info: Buy Nothing Day
24 November 2024 – World Youth Day (Roman Catholic)
Theme: “Those who hope in the Lord will run and not be weary,”
24 November 2024 – 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.
DECEMBER
1 December 2024 – Advent Sunday
1 December – World AIDS Day
Worship materials, resources and links: CABSA.
3 December – International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Info: WHO. See also Belonging: Ten Ways to Belong, Diocese of Oxford Disability and Church page.
3 December 2024 – 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 Publish What You Pay and other organisations fighting corruption
10 December – Human Rights Day
Info from UN, Human Rights Watch, Forum18 (Freedom of Religion)
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.
