Prayer walk for a world in dire need of peace

Newly appointed Rev. Janet Anstead is helping shepherd the return of the Prayer Walk for Peace, a simple, do-it-yourself ecumenical initiative that invites communities across the country to take to the streets in prayer for unity. 

Now, in just her first week in her newest role, Anstead is already working to ensure that the national ecumenical organization that represents 26 member churches across Catholic, Anglican, Orthodox, Evangelical and Protestant traditions can support another year of shared, visible peace.

As in past years, and stemming from a long-standing practice by the council’s president, Rev. Amanda Currie, Canadian Christians are invited to venture on their own Prayer Walk for Peace on Sept. 20. Invited to “pray with their feet,” those partaking will walk in their neighbourhoods, church communities or city streets while praying and reflecting on their hopes for peace.

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Anstead said the event comes down to celebrating Sept. 21 as the International Day of Prayer for Peace through a tangible, physical and visible form of prayer, focusing on peace at multiple levels, whether in the world, Canada or one's local community. 

“This is something intentionally minimal where anyone can, by themselves or with a group, get together and use our resources in an easy and accessible way. Coming out of 20 years of parish ministry, so many times ecumenism seems to occur mostly at the leadership level, and so it is wonderful to have as many opportunities as possible to make sure that ecumenism is available at a grassroots level as well, and this is something that can be done by anyone,” she said. 

Unfortunately, and largely the case last year, there is no shortage of conflict, whether local or global, that could benefit from prayers guided by a desire for peace. With ongoing strife in the Russo-Ukrainian and Gaza wars, persecution across Africa, even this year marking the 25th Anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, this year’s Prayer Walk for Peace falls during a pertinent time. 

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“This is something that is needed now more than ever when we look at all of these significant (global) events,” Anstead said. “A more positive, significant event is that this year is the celebration the 50th anniversary of Project Ploughshares, and so while there is conflict throughout the world we can pray for, there has also been a witness for 50 years that we can celebrate for trying to do something to make a change,” referring to the Canadian peace research institute working to prevent war and armed violence and build sustainable global peace.

Former CCC general secretary Peter Noteboom agrees, saying that while that role is still important today, “now more than ever the council needs to communicate that work for unity and justice to Christians and young adults in Canada who share that commitment to unity and justice.”

He also shared his optimism that Anstead will continue to advocate for these causes during her years to come with CCC. 

“I know that (Anstead’s) deep local pastoral connections and experience will resonate with people across the country who share the gospel imperative to be peacemakers and to live peacemaking,” he said in a written response to the Register. 

Reflecting on the upcoming event, Anstead hopes that the value of the initiative will come down to its goal of bridging division. 

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“This year’s Prayer Walk for Peace is an encouragement to build relationships in the very context of peace as a common value. While we tend to get caught up in what separates us, the desire for peace is a universal one, and so this is a way to bridge those divisions — you are not the other when we all wish for peace,” she said. 

See prayerwalkforpeace.ca/. 

A version of this article appeared in the September 13, 2026 issue of The Catholic Register with the headline "Prayer walk for a world in dire need of peace"