World Council 2026 Devotions: Be Transformed
It’s no secret that the global YMCA Movement is all about transforming our communities. Helping children transform their futures, young adults transform their careers, neighbours transform their communities and communities transform the planet. United around the four Pillars of Vision 2030, what was first a dream to IGNITE in 2022 is becoming a reality to TRANSFORM in 2026.
But what if we can never fully transform our communities and our world, if we are not first transformed ourselves? We are living through a time of disruption at unprecedented depth and speed. Global leaders, especially those rooted in volunteer movements, are increasingly called to lead not just with strategy, but with conviction, faith, and resilience.
In light of this, the theme of our 2026 World Council Devotions is Be Transformed. Each daily devotion is shaped around five real and urgent transformations that leaders are invited to explore together: harm to harmony, confusion to clarity, anxiety to action, pressure to presence, and fatigue to flourishing.
While our World Council Devotions are rooted in the Christian faith, people of all faiths and without any faith background are welcome, invited and included as we learn from each other about the way we can each be transformed so that we can better transform our communities.
Feel free to learn more about each of the five transformations we will consider here:
Monday 20 July (11:00-11:30 a.m. in Grand Ballroom): Harm to Harmony
Scripture: John 17:21
…that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us
Summary: How do we move toward harmony with ourselves, our neighbors, creation and our global YMCA movement? “That they may all be one” is only possible when we acknowledge, confess and repent of harms done (this will be a key point in the Welcome Ceremony). Only then can we begin to move forward together with the forgiveness and reconciliation needed for true harmony (this will be the key point of the Devotions following the Welcome Ceremony).
Tuesday 21 July (8:00-8:30 a.m. Self-Guided in-App): Confusion to Clarity
Scripture: Romans 12:2
…that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us
Summary:
Leadership in a confusing and divided world is challenging. What are the conforming patterns of this age that continue to discriminate and divide our communities? What new ways of thinking, seeing or walking would help you grow toward a more mature and true human being, in right relationship with your neighbor and with God?
Wednesday 22 July (8:15-9:00 a.m. in Grand Ballroom): Anxiety to Action
Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. As for the things that you have learned and received and heard and noticed in me, do them, and the God of peace will be with you.
Summary:
What anxieties are you facing personally? What worries are in your community and in your YMCA? Words like “Do not be anxious” can be discouraging when we don’t have anywhere to put our anxiety. But what would it look like to focus our minds on whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, excellent and praiseworthy? Taking it further, what would happen if these thoughts became actions? You’re invited to take one step today toward rejoicing, or even dancing, on the good road from anxiety to action.
Thursday 23 July (8:15-9:00 a.m. in Grand Ballroom): Pressure to Presence
Scripture: Luke 19:1-10
He entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.” Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”
Summary:
Pressure comes in many forms—to perform, to fit in, to succeed. Sometimes these pressures can make it difficult to be our true selves, causing us to feel alone and even isolated. Today you are invited to reconnect with your true worth. When was the last time you were fully present with yourself in a moment without getting distracted? While being present with yourself is important, it also isn’t enough. We need to be present with each other and the Spirit so that we can re-member together who we are.
Friday 24 July (8:15-9:00 a.m. in Grand Ballroom): Fatigue to Flourishing
Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Summary:
The important work we do every day can be exhausting. We are constantly facing some of the biggest and deepest challenges both locally and globally. What do we do when “fixes” don’t come quickly and the constant wave of one crisis after another becomes too much? This work is a marathon and not a sprint. What will lighten your load? The flourishing of our communities can’t happen when our own flourishing is diminished. Today you are invited to acknowledge your fatigue, come to the Creator, and find ways to rest that will help us flourish together.
