Due to the many wars and crises of recent years, the Evangelical Alliances from Germany, Austria and Switzerland deliberately chose the theme ‘Living Hope Together’ for the Alliance Week of Prayer 2025.

In numerous cities and regions of Switzerland, churches came together during the week from 12 to 19 January and celebrated this hope together at Alliance services, prayer events and in community.

The annual week, organised by Evangelical Alliance all around Europe and the world, showed “the power of a change of perspective - away from the crises and problems and towards Jesus Christ, the reason for Christian hope”, the organisers in Switzerland said.

One example of how this hope can be passed on is by being a light in everyday life. Andi Bachmann-Roth, co-general secretary of the Swiss Evangelical Alliance (SEA), gave the sermon on this topic at the Alliance service in Bülach, which was attended by over 100 participants.

“The fact that Christians are a light in the world can be irritating for others”, explained Bachmann-Roth. Based on Matthew 5, he showed that words and deeds must be in harmony with each other to address this challenge. He symbolised that all Christians must stick together to spread this light in the world with a shining bracelet, which the worshippers held up in the air.

24 hours of hope in Winterthur

The theme of “Living hope together” was experienced in a slightly different setting with 24/7 prayer in Winterthur. The new house of prayer, lovingly furnished in a central location next to the main railway station, invited people to pray hopefully and intensively for the city.

Tuesday afternoon was characterised by the Leaders’ Prayer in the Schleife Foundation. National and international leaders from the city’s churches and ministries came together for two hours to worship God, honour him and proclaim his hope for the city and beyond. The prayer was followed by a strengthening dinner and good fellowship. The day finished with an Alliance-focused worship service, accompanied by “music that touched hearts”.

There was also plenty of music in the reformed church in Rüti. A large orchestra with over 30 participants from various churches made the Alliance service there a unique experience.

Thun Expo Hall filled with life

In Thun, 1,500 visitors flocked to the Expo Hall to live hope together under the theme ‘HOPE - Hope with an accent’.

“It was a great, hopeful service. I was impressed by how well everyone involved worked together and for each other and how peaceful the atmosphere in the hall was”, says Timo Schuster from the programme team, looking back. He is confident that the participants not only took away words, but also the “heavenly” atmosphere, impressions and encounters.

The Oberdiessbach Reformed Church was also well attended on Sunday 19 January. Jaël Binggeli, SEA youth representative, gave the sermon and encouraged the visitors to the Alliance service to “never stop hoping”. This was followed by a cosy brunch in the nearby parish hall.