CHRISTIANS in the UK and around the world are preparing to start an unbroken ten-month “prayer chain” in which people will pray for action to tackle climate change, from the start of Lent next Wednesday, until the UN climate summit, COP26, being held in Glasgow in November.

Christians of different denominations will come together to ensure that, day or night, someone is praying for the climate. It has support from the Christian development charities Cafod, Tearfund, and Christian Aid, as well as the Church of Sweden, the Lutheran World Federation, and World Council of Churches, among others. Campaigners are hoping that time will be set aside during the Lambeth Conference for attending bishops to take part.

A website has been set up so that individuals can book slots and log their prayer time: churches, small groups, individuals, and families are encouraged to join in.

St Martins-in-the-Fields, in Trafalgar Square, is one church taking part, and will be hosting a series of activities during the first week of COP26. The Vicar, Canon Sam Wells, said: “The reason Christians care about the environment is not because if we don’t, we’re toast. The reason is that if we’re not interested in the home God has made to dwell in with us now, how can we claim to be eager for the home God has made to dwell in with us for ever?”

The prayer chain will begin with Christian Climate Action, holding a round-the-clock vigil outside Parliament during the 40 days of Lent. This will begin on Ash Wednesday with services outside Westminster Cathedral at 12 noon, and Westminster Abbey at 2 p.m., where priests, rather than making the sign of the cross with ash, will do so using fake crude oil.

For more information about the prayer chain visit caid.org.uk/prayerchain