Watch and Pray

The Church of England’s Lent theme for 2024, Watch and Pray invites us all to wait expectantly for God to meet us and sustain us through the storms and trials we all face.

This Lent we are encouraged to draw on the wisdom of Black Spirituality, particularly the practice of “tarrying” (waiting) as a community to draw closer to Jesus and to each other.

The booklet for adults offers a daily Bible verse, a short reflection, an idea for 'watching', and a prayer. It invites us to seek God in both familiar and unfamiliar places this Lent: in darkness and in quiet; in movement and migration; in the healing and transforming work of the Spirit; in the weeping of Holy Week and in the joy of Easter morning.

The booklet for children offers a daily challenge to do, learn or think about something. There are also weekly themes, prayers and short Bible readings – all exploring the theme of Watch and Pray.

Find out about all the ways you and your family can get involved in the Watch and Pray journey, including booklets for grown-ups, videos for young people and ideas for churches and groups on the Church of England website.