More than 600 Churches join National Prayer weekend across UK
Written by Sunny Unachi on 25th September 2026
More than 600 churches across the UK are taking part in a nationwide National Prayer Weekend running from September 25 to 27, bringing Christians, churches and community groups together to pray for their local communities and the nation.
The initiative is encouraging churches and individuals to move prayer beyond the walls of their buildings by connecting with people in their neighbourhoods, listening to their concerns and praying specifically for their needs. Participants have been encouraged to gather prayer requests from individuals, organisations and institutions as part of the weekend.
The movement has also received support from senior church leaders, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, who described prayer as an important expression of a Church that seeks reconciliation and confidently shares the message of Jesus. He expressed hope that the weekend would help raise hope and contribute to transformation across communities.
In Bude, North Cornwall, organisers have taken a particularly community-focused approach, distributing prayer request cards to more than 5,000 homes. Volunteers will spend the weekend praying for the needs shared by residents, both collectively and individually.
The organisers say the weekend is not limited to church gatherings. Christians are being encouraged to pray in everyday spaces and for people they encounter, including neighbours, schools, businesses and local institutions. For some participants, that could mean praying with someone on the street; for others, it may simply mean setting aside time at home to intercede for their community.
Mick Brooks, chief executive of CWR, which is involved in the initiative, said the hope is that people across the country will experience the love of Jesus through prayer.
The National Prayer Weekend comes at a time when many UK communities are facing social and economic pressures, making its emphasis on listening, prayer and community connection particularly significant.
As churches across the country participate this weekend, the initiative offers a visible reminder of the place prayer continues to hold within Christian life and mission in the UK.
