​World Day of Prayer is a global ecumenical movement led by Christian women
who welcome you to join in prayer and action for peace and justice.

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Come – Everything is Ready

Program written by the
World Day of Prayer Committee of Slovenia for WDP 2019
Luke 14:15-24

This program was written by women in Slovenia, one of the smallest countries in Europe and a pretty young committee in the WDP movement.

At the core of the theme, an invitation – Come; and to enable the response – Everything is ready. Come to praise, thank, and proclaim the kingdom of love.

The invitation is grounded in the parable that Jesus told about a great dinner which was attended by the ones called off the streets, as the ones invited excused themselves. The community formed around the table is not enough to fill the house – there is still room. Who are missing from the table in your community? How would you invite and prepare the feast?

Throughout the worship service, we hear the stories of those who are coming to the table of bread, wine, water, and salt. Their stories reflect the political and economic situation from the time Slovenia was a socialist-communist state to today. Their stories are the voices of the refugee and migrant workers, the mothers, the grandmothers, the wives, and the Roma people. While listening to their stories, we ask for forgiveness for being silent in the face of injustice, and we pray that God open our hearts to compassion and understanding. And we leave with a blessing prayer to mutually support one another on the path of freedom, justice, and peace.

May the welcoming God enable us to set the table and fill the communities with hope, love, and joy!

Rise! Take Your Mat and Walk

Program written by the
​World Day of Prayer Committee of Zimbabwe for WDP 2020
John 5:2-9a 

The country of Zimbabwe has been in the news recently. The newly elected president has been sworn in after a tense and disputed election. Churches and ecumenical organizations are actively promoting peace education and civic awareness to engage the communities in peaceful participation. Prayer vigils, election monitoring and dialogues between civil society and the government were organized to have political transparency, and to promote healing in a country that searches for peace and reconciliation.

This historical moment may express one of the contexts for the Zimbabwe theme. The WDP 2020 program is based on Jesus’ encounter with a person who, although positioned for healing, had not acted upon the opportunities given (John 5:2-9a). Jesus asked –“Do you want to be made well?” You are faced with this life-changing question. What are you going to do? Use this opportunity to reflect with your WDP group, community and ecumenical partners. Prayer and action are what links us together around the globe.

“Rise! Take Your Mat and Walk,” said Jesus. Our sisters from Zimbabwe are taking Jesus’ encounter to be a call to act in love for peace and reconciliation. “The action verbs suggest that we should not be afraid to act on the word of God. God is offering us the steps for personal and social transformation.” This is the time for change!
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May we hear the words of this compassionate God and the Prince of Peace to act upon the healing of ourselves and our communities to bring peace and reconciliation into the world.