As every year since 1846, the European Evangelical Alliance (EEA) encourages European churches to begin the year taking part in the Week of Prayer (WOP).

From 11 to 18 January, Christians all over Europe will come together to pray and reflect in unity.

This year, the material for the WOP is coordinated by the Italian Evangelical Alliance (AEI) in collaboration with the Italian committee of the Lausanne Movement under the theme 'God's Faithfulness to His People', based on Psalm 78.

“We have chosen Psalm 78 to meditate together with all of you, dear brothers and sisters, on God's faithfulness to his church in every age”, points out the AEI.

All Evangelical Focus news and opinion, on your WhatsApp.

“Considering his divine faithfulness, it is necessary to ‘pause’ to remember, to seek repentance and to abound in thanksgiving. Without this salutary pause at the foot of God's throne, one cannot ‘start again’ as a gospel people. This is true both nationally and globally”, they add.

Remembrance, repentance and gatitude

The eight-day program of the WOP material “guides participants through Psalm 78, focusing on daily themes such as remembrance, repentance and gratitude”:

Day 1 - Psalm 78:1- 4 REMEMBRANCE: not to hide what God has revealed

Day 2 - Psalm 78:5-11 REMEMBRANCE: let us remember to pass on and not be rebellious Day 3 - Psalm 78:12-26 REMEMBRANCE: we remember the highs and the lows

Day 4 - Psalm 78:17-33 REPENTANCE: human rebellion in divine mercy

Day 5 - Psalm 78:34-37 REPENTANCE: Recognizing insincere repentance

Day 6 - Psalm 78:38-55 THANKFULNESS: God is pleased to use mercy

Day 7 - Psalm 78:56-64 THANKFULNESS: God who does not remove righteous judgment Day 8 - Psalm 78:65-72 THANKFULNESS: the God of grace and justice is there

In addition to some recommendations for hosting a prayer meeting during the Week of Prayer, devotions, as well as thanksgiving, confession and request prayers are offered for each individual day of the week.

Recommendations for local gatherings encourage “inclusivity of all evangelical churches, including migrant and Roma communities, intergenerational involvement, and creative formats to foster diverse unity and inspire ongoing collaboration for gospel advancement”, explains the EEA.

The Italian Evangelical Alliance hopes that “that this prayer material will be a tool in God's hands to strengthen our love for one another and collaboration for the advancement of the gospel and God's justice in the world”.

Resources

The material for the Week of Prayer can be downloaded free of charge in different languages, such as English, Italian, German, French and Spanish.