A Candle in Every Time Zone: Prayer by Agreement

"Again I say unto you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of My Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 18:19). From these words of the Saviour grew one of the most beloved practices of Orthodox life: prayer by agreement, when the faithful — though scattered across cities and continents — pray the same prayer at the same appointed hour.

Orthodox House now carries this tradition online. At this moment 10 prayer groups gather 5 participants, each keeping a common hour of prayer. Every evening at 21:00 UTC the global group "Universal Prayer for Peace" lifts one voice for the peace of the whole world, and anyone may join it in a single click.

Each group keeps its own commemoration list — the names of the sick, the suffering, and the departed — so that no one is prayed for alone. When the hour draws near, a gentle notification reminds every member that the moment of common prayer has come.

You can also gather your own circle: for your parish, your diocese, or your whole Church, at whatever hour suits your community. Visit the Prayers section of Orthodox House Social, join tonight's prayer for peace, and let your voice be counted among the many that rise as one.