The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has issued a call for people to pray for the Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops, and to set aside Trinity Sunday – 12 June – as a dedicated day of prayer. Bishops from dioceses serving communities in more than 165 countries throughout the world have been invited to Canterbury in Kent, England, for the once-a-decade gathering, which will take place from 26 July to 8 at the University of Kent in Canterbury, Canterbury Cathedral, and Lambeth Palace. 

“The Lambeth Conference theme of ‘God’s Church for God’s World’, reminds us that we are called upon as Christians to pray for the needs of the world”, Archbishop Justin said in a message posted on the official Lambeth Conference website. “There are many calls upon our prayers at this time: world peace, the global climate crisis, the effects of the pandemic – to name but a few. 

“I invite you to call all those in your care to pray for the Lambeth Conference”, he said. “Please pray that as we meet and consider our shared mission and ministry, that we may hear the call from God. In turn, that we might add our voices to call others to make a difference for Christ in the world.” 

Brother Christopher John, part of the chaplaincy team at the event, has prepared a prayer guide which is available in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese. 

Describing the prayer guide, which can be used in the lead-up and during the Lambeth Conference, Brother Christopher John said: “this prayer guide has contributions from religious communities in Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Americas, and Asia. . . Through it, we hope that the prayers we share here will encourage all who use it to unite in prayer for the bishops gathered in the Lambeth Conference.” 

The prayer guide includes prayers around some of the topics expected to be discussed during the Lambeth Conference, including mission and evangelism, peace and reconciliation, the environment and sustainable development, discipleship, and inter faith relations.