We held the service this year at Christ Church and the service was prepared by the ladies of Palestine - so very poignant. The morning service was better attended than the evening service.
This year’s theme was “I beg you, bear with one another in love”. World Day of Prayer is an international, inter-church organisation, led by women, which enables us to hear the thoughts of those women from all parts of the world: their hopes, concerns, and prayers.
This year the Christian Women of Palestine were calling us to connect with the land from where Jesus came; where he was born, ministered and died – and from where our faith began and is rooted.
World Day of Prayer England, Wales & Northern Ireland National Committee member Amanda Allchorn said: “Despite living in an area of the world where there is ongoing conflict and the future is uncertain, the women of Palestine are sharing with love a reminder that they are there, and they want to give hope to everyone. The theme ‘bear with one another in love’ seems very appropriate for these women who will not give up witnessing the love of Jesus Christ.”
The Palestinian Christian women who wrote this worship service invite us to pray for peace, justice and freedom of religion and movement, asking us to pray for women, refugees, the sick, dying and grieving.
A Palestinian Christian Nurse, Dina Nasser, said: “I hope on the occasion of the World Day of Prayer, as we pray for peace and justice on earth, we remember that taking a stand for justice does not allow us the luxury of choice. It is a moral stand that we should uphold for all the oppressed in this world, be they Palestinians, Syrians, Yemenis or Ukrainians. How can we remain silent and only speak up when it is acceptable to do so? Please take action; we have heard enough statements of concern!”
I’m not able to confirm the details for next year yet apart from it being on the first Friday in March and written by the women of the Cook Islands (see below).
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'Our sisters from the Cook Islands have spent the last few years deepening into the theme: “I Made You Wonderful,” based on Psalm 139:1-18. The 2025 program invites us into the knowledge that each one of us was made with care and love by God. When we can receive this profound truth, everything in our life changes and we begin to radiate and shine from within. We also learn how to treat every other person as made wonderful by God. |
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The service leads us to offer prayers of adoration and thanksgiving to our Creator, followed by prayers of confession and longing. Finally, the prayers of intercession guide us to ask God for wisdom, courage and healing, that our world would come to treat all people as “fearfully and wonderfully made.”
The Bible Study prompts dialogue around Psalm 139, particularly focusing on the relationship between God and each one of us. The study looks at 3 sections of Psalm 139, each with a different focus: verses 1-6 (God knows us), verses 7-12 (God is with us), and 13-18 (God made us wonderful).
The Children’s Program includes a song that is popular among children in the Cook Islands, as well as several activities for coloring and creating neck garlands and flower head crowns. Children are encouraged to learn how their bodies were made wonderful by God.
The Country Background gives an abundance of information about the history of the Cook Islands, with a particular emphasis on the achievements of women.
Taking on the responsibility of being a writer country is always a rigorous journey, and we are grateful to our Cook Islands sisters for their hard work and patience.'
Jane Hardy
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