This year’s theme for World Day of Prayer is “Rise! Take your mat and walk,” which women in the African country of Zimbabwe put together based on the Bible text of John 5:2-9a.
St. Joseph's Church will host this year’s event, which begins at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 6. A coffee social will follow after the service concludes. There will be elevator access to the church — located at 1064 Third Avenue Northwest — via the parking lot at the back of the church.
The Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada (WICC) co-ordinates the annual World Day of Prayer (WDP) and is one of the original founders of this prayer movement. It encourages more than 1,150 Canadian communities to participate in the prayer day on or near March 6.
WICC encourages participating churches to reflect on the challenges Zimbabwe has encountered during its steps to independence during the last 60 years, according to a news release. The writing team that put together the program has shared the obstacles that women there have met, along with the hopes the women have for the future. These experiences invite everyone into prayer and support.
World Day of Prayer is an international, inter-church event that began 98 years ago to bridge social, geographic and political barriers in more than 170 countries. The weekend of prayer begins in Samoa, nearly 4,000 kilometres east of Brisbane, Australia. Prayer in several native languages then travels throughout the world, through Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Australia and the Americas.
“Together we pursue justice, peace and reconciliation by standing together in prayer and action,” the news release said, adding an international committee based in New York City helps oversee preparations for the day and supports national committees and organizations in participating countries.
Offerings received during World Day of Prayer will help transform prayers into actions in the form of project grants that empower women and children in Canada and throughout the world. All regions share in the grants, with consideration given to the greatest need.
Through WDP offerings, WICC has distributed more than $2.5 million during the last 35 years. The vision is to restore hope to women and children touched by injustice.
Visit www.wicc.org for more information.
