The European Evangelical Alliance is encouraging its members to take time to “pause” in prayerful reflection as the 2026 Week of Prayer got underway Jan. 11 and continues through Jan. 18.
Robbert Jan Perk, co-chair of the EEA Prayer Network, urged churches and individuals across Europe to approach the week with renewed attentiveness to prayer, drawing on Acts 2:42: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
The Week of Prayer began in 1861 as the Universal Week of Prayer initiated by the World Evangelical Alliance and continues today primarily in Europe, where it is championed by national evangelical alliances across the continent.
In a reflection titled “Pausing at God’s Throne: Preparing Our Hearts for the 2026 Week of Prayer,” Perk highlighted insights from the Italian Evangelical Alliance, whose leadership prepared a prayer pamphlet for the week emphasizing the spiritual significance of pausing before God.
According to the Italian Evangelical Alliance, the theme was inspired by the emphasis on reflection at the 4th Congress of the Lausanne Movement, held in Seoul in 2024. The congress was described as “a time to pause together to observe the state of the church and the mission of the world, and then to leave together in a more conscious way and with the resources that the Word of God and His Spirit renew us.”
The Italian alliance said it selected Psalm 78 as the biblical focus for the 2026 Week of Prayer, calling believers to reflect on God’s faithfulness to the church throughout history.
“Considering this divine faithfulness, it is necessary to ‘pause’ to remember, to seek repentance and to abound in thanksgiving,” the Italian Evangelical Alliance wrote. “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.”
Perk said the “striking words” from the Italian leadership “have moved me,” and pointed to prayer as foundational for Christian life and witness.
He cautioned that without a deep grounding in prayer, believers risk reducing it to a religious tool rather than a transformative encounter with God. Recalling advice from a pastor, Perk wrote: “The real challenge for Christians is not to do spiritual things, but to do things spiritually! That really hit me, and I hope it will hit you, too.”
“Because prayer in its deepest meaning is a life-changing encounter with the Living God. Personally, and communal,” Perk added. “Otherwise, we will make prayer a religious instrument to achieve our own goals and that changes our fundamental attitude as an intercessor.”
As the Week of Prayer continues, Perk encouraged EEA members to set aside time for intentional encounter with the Triune God, anticipating experiences of fellowship with “God the Father, Jesus Christ the Risen Lord and the Holy Spirit” and a shared time of spiritual renewal.
