Justin Welby and John Sentamu have called for a 'great wave of prayer' and have written to every serving parish priest in the Church of England expressing their longing "to see a great wave of prayer across our land, throughout the Church of England and many other Churches" during the week in May.
In their letter the Archbishops wrote: "At the heart of our prayers will be words that Jesus himself taught us - 'Thy kingdom come, thy will be done.'
"It is impossible to overstate the life-transforming power of the Lord's Prayer. It is a prayer that is reassuring enough to be on the lips of the dying and yet dangerous enough to be banned in cinemas.
"It is famous enough to be spoken each day by billions in hundreds of languages and yet intimate enough to draw us ever closer into friendship with Jesus Christ.
"It is simple enough to be memorised by small children and yet profound enough to sustain a whole lifetime of prayer. When we pray it with sincerity and with joy, there is no imagining the new ways in which God can use us to his glory."
Canterbury Cathedral
The week of prayer will feature 'Beacon events' around the country over Pentecost weekend, where people will pray for the renewal of the Holy Spirit and the confidence to share their faith.
Both leaders are suggesting lots of ways churches can engage with the week of prayer, including holding a day or week of continuous '24/7' prayer as parishes, teams or deaneries; saying special prayers in Sunday worship; prayer walking; or handing out a novena prayer card to every congregation member.
Events will take place at St Paul's Cathedral as well as Canterbury Cathedral and Coventry Cathedral.
