The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity has a history of over 100 years , in which Christians around the world have taken part in an octave of prayer for visible Christian unity.  By annually observing the WPCU, Christians move toward the fulfillment of Jesus' prayer at the Last Supper "that they all may be one."  (cf. John 17:21)

In preparation for the WPCU, ecumenical partners in a particular region are asked to prepare a basic text on a biblical theme. Then an international group organized through the World Council of Churches (WCC) and The Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity edit this text, which is jointly published by the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and WCC, through their Commission on Faith and Order.  The WCC accompanies the entire production process of the text. The final material issent to member churches and Roman Catholic dioceses, and they are invited to translate the text and contextualize it for their own use. 

In the United States, the Franciscan Friars and Sisters of the Atonement are the historical originators of the WPCU, through their founders, Servant of God Fr. Paul Wattson and Mother Lurana White. They continue to lead in promoting the WPCU and providing materials adapted to the United States.

Further promotional and preparatory materials for the annual WPCU can be found through the World Council of Churches and the Franciscan Friars of the Antonement's Graymoor Ecumenical and Interreligious Institute websites, including:

• Suggestions for observing the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
• Thematic poster art, music, and prayer cards (English/Spanish)
• Scripture readings, commentaries and questions for reflection
• Ecumenical prayer service model
• Historical and contextual information