​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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I Know the Plans I Have for You

​Program written by the
​World Day of Prayer Committee of
​England, Wales & Northern Ireland for WDP 2022
Jeremiah 29:1-14 

In the midst of all the uncertainties we are living under due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the WDP 2022 theme emerges like a balm of confidence. It is an invitation to place our trust in God in times of suffering.

The program is based on the letter that the prophet Jeremiah wrote to the exiles in Babylonia. The exiles were in a context of suffering, uncertainty, and opposing views on how to respond to the moment. Today, we come together to hear the stories of women who feel excluded, listen to the fear of a child refugee and learn to see the context of a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, and multi-faith society in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (EWNI).

For Jeremiah, God’s plan was clear, and we share this assurance by singing it. What is your WDP hope? Let the children and the youth guide your response. Then, come to celebrate hope by lighting a candle on behalf of the seven regions of the world, knowing that our prayerful action can bring to life the promises of God who, like a Mother and Father, cares for us all.

We are given a seed of hope to ponder where it needs to be planted in our lives and in our communities. Take this opportunity, to raise awareness on the needs of your community and offer the gifts of prayers and commitment. A seed, nourished by prayers of intercession and actions of love, bind us together around the world.

I Have Heard About Your Faith

Program written by the
World Day of Prayer Committee of Taiwan for WDP 2023
Ephesians 1:15-19

One of the WDP Guiding Principles states that ‘Prayer is rooted in listening to God and to one another. In WDP we listen to the Word of God and to voices of women sharing their hopes and fears, their joys and sorrows, their opportunities and needs.’  

The theme of the worship service “I Have Heard About Your Faith,” based on the letter to the Ephesians, is an invitation to active listening, which is the ground of our prayers. Following the example of the letter (1:15-19), where the author praises the church for their faith in Jesus and love toward all the saints, the worship service contextualizes the witness of the saints with the stories from Taiwan.   

The worship service shares the letters of encouragement sent to women who faced suffering and injustice. Their stories of faith contemplate issues that are shared by women and girls around the world and that continue to challenge us to prayerful action.
   
They remind us of the urgency to protect the environment and have a nuclear-free homeland; to be aware of the gender stereotypes women face when defying the traditional role in the workplace or in the family, and to care for the healing of the victims of verbal and sexual abuses. It also brings to light the hidden struggle of the essential workers during the pandemic who had to balance between work and family in a vulnerable economic situation. The sisters thank God for the natural resources of the island and pray for wisdom in face of the political isolation of Taiwan in the international community. They ask for our prayers.   

What are the stories of faith in your community? How do you encourage them with your prayers and actions? Include those stories in the WDP activities. Praise God and be inspired by those testimonies of love and justice.  

May God give us the wisdom and courage to tell the stories of faith that transform lives. ​

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