 L’année 2020 est une année spéciale avec la crise sanitaire due au covid-19 qui a changé les habitudes de vies des êtres humains. Mesures barrières, confinement, fermeture des frontières etc… sont des mots ou expressions qui circulent et font désormais partis de notre lot quotidien. Au niveau de la Journée Mondiale de Prière, on pourrait parler d’une prédilection avec le thème de célébration 2020 préparé par nos sœurs du Zimbabwe à savoir : « Lève-toi, prends ton grabat et marche ». Le covid-19 est venu montrer combien nous sommes fragiles et limités, que Dieu seul est le maitre de l’univers et que tous nos projets sont soumis à Sa volonté. Les célébrations se sont bien passées dans plusieurs pays mais pas dans d’autres mais ce qui est sûr c’est que nous sommes restées en connexion d’esprit. Beaucoup de comités nationaux n’ont pas réalisé l’action qui accompagne la célébration à cause du confinement à l’exemple du Comité National JMP du Cameroun ; mais les actions peuvent maintenant s’orienter vers les personnes qui n’ont pas les moyens leur permettant de respecter les mesures barrières à la propagation du coronavirus. Au Cameroun, en avril 2020, la propagation du virus augmente tous les jours et est présent dans 9 Régions sur 10 ; nous sommes aujourd’hui à 1v705 cas confirmés, 58 décès et heureusement 805 cas guéris. Les écoles, églises et lieux de prières sont fermés, avec interdiction de réunion, de manifestations. Tout se fait aujourd’hui à travers les outils de communication. Pour ce qui est des régions, j’ai envoyé un message de réconfort en ce temps de confinement et une orientation pour les intentions de prières, quelques comités ont apprécié et j’ose croire que pour l’ensemble, nous sommes dans cet élan de nous lever pour soutenir les famille victimes, les médecins, etc.. Avec les fermetures des frontières, tous les projets de rencontres sont suspendus, mais j’ai foi que le temps de Dieu viendra. Le temps de confinement parait nous éloigner de nos projets, de nos désirs, de nos ambitions ; mais reconnaissons que c’est le temps de rapprochement avec Dieu, pour renforcer les relations avec notre Seigneur, renforcer les relations avec la famille, renouer la vie harmonieuse avec les gens de sa maison ; c’est un temps de retraite spirituelle avec prières, lectures bibliques, jeûnes, c’est le temps de réflexion sur notre vie pour une prise de conscience et un retournement. Face à ce virus, pouvons-nous seulement dépasser nos rivalités, nos guerres et querelles antérieures pour nous tourner vers un monde meilleur du bien-être, de la cohésion, de la collaboration pacifique ? Malgré le fait que nous soyons à terre parce que découragées par les méfaits de ce virus, le Seigneur nous demande de nous lever avec toutes les forces qu’il nous donne, pour la mission qu’il nous a confiée. De la même manière que Dieu a roulé la pierre à l’entrée du tombeau de Jésus, il roulera la pierre que constitue ce fameux virus et nous redonnera le bonheur de vivre une vie de partage, d’amour, de paix et de réconciliation (Matthieu 28 : 1-10). Que Dieu nous vienne en aide. - Henriette Mbatchou, Représentant régional de la CIJMP pour l'Afrique
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This poem is dedicated to all the women in the world who reflect their faith in action and promote the movement of ‘informed prayer’ and ‘prayerful action’.  The Flame Lily is the National Flower of Zimbabwe Blossom Sisters! Blossom! Blossom like the Red Flame Lily of Zimbabwe. Growing from the womb of mother Earth, In midst of pebbles and thorns of life, Blossom to celebrate life and strive for ‘life in its fullness’. For Christ has given us the power, To rise up, pick up our mat and walk. Blossom Sisters! Blossom! Blossom like the Red Flame Lily of Zimbabwe. As our sisters of WDP Zimbabwe invite us to hear their voices, stories and pray with them, Blossom to spread your scarlet petals and flower pregnant with ripe pollens of love, Spread the fragrance of ‘informed prayer’ and ‘prayerful action’. Prayer that transforms lives and heals. For Christ has blessed us with the power, To rise up, pick up our mat and walk. Blossom Sisters! Blossom! Blossom like the Red Flame Lily of Zimbabwe. Strengthen one another to weave the web of love. Like the song of buzzing bees sucking nectar from the lilies, Sing together songs of justice and peace sparking hope. As the red lily dances, kissed by the wind under the copper sun, With the rhythms of your body, dance to the tunes of songs of freedom, Dance to break status quo, the culture of violence and bondage. For Christ has blessed us with the power, To rise up, pick up our mat and walk. Blossom Sisters! Blossom! Blossom like the Red Flame Lily of Zimbabwe. With heart filled with red passion, empathy and love, Engaging in praxis-oriented prayer, wiping away tears, Of grandmothers struggling to give life to disabled abandoned grandchildren, Women walking miles with bruised feet in search of safe drinking water, Mothers toiling hard in poverty to feed hungry children, Weep with tears of empathy for trafficked daughters living with HIV/AIDS. For our tears are not tears of weakness but resilience and strength. For Christ has blessed us with the power, To rise up, pick up our mat and walk. Written by Rev. Moumita Biswas, WDPIC Regional Representative of Asia
Artwork by Mehuli Rusha Biswas  This Easter Sunday will never be forgotten. Many of us won’t be able to gather for worship in our churches and greet each other with “Hallelujah, Christ is Risen! Yes, indeed Christ is Risen!” Instead, we will be home, either alone or with our close family connected online with our worldwide sisters and brothers declaring Christ’s victory over death. In this time of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, we stay home to save lives. We pray from our own sanctuaries and lift up to God all who feel like they are in the darkness of the tomb. We trust there is light after darkness. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary remind us of World Day of Prayer women preparing the worship service for the First Friday of March. The WDP women give their time to prepare the rituals of encounter and prayer that nurture fellowship and hope in the community. For the two Marys though, that first day after the Sabbath started early. They went to prepare the rituals of burying a loved one – Jesus Their arrival to the tomb was preceded by the dramatic appearance of an angel of the Lord. The angel understood well the reason for their visit and their feelings. “Do not be afraid. He is not here,” said the angel of the Lord. After the encounter, filled now with fear and great joy, the two Marys ran to share the good news with the disciples (Matthew 28:1-9). This Easter, we may have these mixed feelings of fear and joy. How can we let the news given by the angel nurture ourselves? Perhaps by letting go of our fear, caring for each other, and creating space for the great joy of being united in the same prayer -- Hallelujah, Christ is Risen! The word of the Risen One remains a promise of life for all of us. Jesus has gone before us, leading us from death to life. Through our most dire situations, let us dare to live with great joy and hope. Then, like the disciples, we will take hold of Jesus’ feet and feel encouraged to see the signs of resurrection around us. Truly, Christ is Risen! Amen! #WDPUnitedInPrayer - Laurence Gangloff, WDPIC Chairperson and Rosangela Oliveira, WDPIC Executive Director
 I had planned to celebrate the World Day of Prayer again with my colleagues at work on March 18th. But the French government’s measures to protect the population from the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) transmission decided otherwise. So, this morning I put away everything I had prepared except for three candles marked "Love-Peace-Reconciliation", as suggested by our Zimbabwean sisters. I decided to light them in my home, as an act of hope. Though confined for a week in my beautiful house with my family in good health, I do thank God. I thank God for all that is beautiful and good. Watching the movement of the flames of these candles, I pray for those who are fighting the COVID-19 in hospitals - the sick and the healthcare workers. I pray for those who are facing their illness at home and feeling more confined than ever. I pray for all those who create gestures of solidarity. I pray for all of us:
Love and blessings to all of you!
- Laurence Gangloff, WDPIC Chairperson  We are on the Fourth Week of Lent, and John 9 is one of the readings of the Lectionary for the week. This healing story is similar to the one in John 5:1-9a, which is the basis for the worship service written by WDP Zimbabwe for our common day of prayer in 2020.
Our Zimbabwe sisters inspired us to think of healing as transformation. “Jesus empowers us to be made well by doing something for the transformation that God is offering – to rise and take up our mat, whatever that may be for us, and walk.” Healing is at the center of people’s minds and actions to stop the transmission of the coronavirus disease (COVID19). What are some of the things we can do?
Share with us your prayers, poems, songs with words of hope, love, healing and care. When washing your hands, offer a prayer. The prayer that Jesus taught us can be done in 20 seconds. For more information, visit the WHO website.  As we get closer to what we have been preparing with enthusiasm and creativity, the voices of the women from Zimbabwe, intertwined with our own, bring alive a message of love, peace and reconciliation. The WDP women of Zimbabwe invited us to pray with them. Many communities gathered together to deepen their reflection on the theme based on the story of John 5, 1-9a. The three verbs - “Rise, Take and Walk” – indicate action. Jesus used those verbs on two occasions: to a sick man (John 5) and to the paralyzed one carried by four other men (Mark 2). The verbs indicate the change for those in the stories. These verbs are still powerful for us, today! Our Zimbabwean sisters showed us the way. “Jesus empowers us to be made well by doing something for the transformation that God is offering—to rise and take up our mat, whatever that may be for us, and walk. Jesus empowers us to choose to be healed, to be made whole, perhaps physically, mentally, spiritually, and socially. When we are made whole, we are reconciled to God, to ourselves, and to our community. When we are reconciled, we can truly love, and when we truly love, we are able to walk toward peace. So, “Rise! Take your mat and walk.” (Extracted from the Worship Service 2020) “WDP encourages responsible action that grows out of the worship service” (WDP Guiding Principles, 9, b). What are the actions that the worship service will inspire you to take? In that way, WDP will fulfill its motto “Informed Prayer. Prayerful Action.” We join you, and especially the people of Zimbabwe, in prayers for the Holy Spirit to be at work in our hearts, so we can feel the push that makes us Rise, Take and Walk! We wish you a blessed and happy feast! Laurence Gangloff, WDPIC Chairperson & Rosângela Oliveira, WDPIC Executive Director
 How does World Day of Prayer tell the story of united prayers led by women around the world? For almost 100 years, women have been inviting the communities to listen to each other and to create common responses to help the ones in need.
The themes that motivate the prayers since 1927 up to 2026 are a testimony of how women commit to putting their hope into action. From the 1927 service entitled “Pray Ye Therefore”, written by Mary Hough, USA, to the 2020 service written by women in Zimbabwe under “Rise! Take your Mat and Walk”, we underscore our way of being active listeners to foster ecumenical solidarity. The faces of the communities in prayer around the world are displayed on the WDP Timeline poster, released in 2018. They represent the prayers that come from Samoa, Zimbabwe, Lebanon, Uruguay, Hungary, Taiwan and Bahamas (from top left to bottom right). Let’s learn the stories behind the faces!
Amazing how the year is almost over! Here we are in the Advent, Christmas and Epiphany season! I am back to reading the nativity stories, and I especially appreciate the angel’s message to Joseph in the Gospel of Matthew. “Do not be afraid” (1,20). “Get up, take… and flee” (2,13). It is impossible for me not to see a parallel with the theme for 2020 World Day of Prayer prepared by the women of Zimbabwe. The main Bible text for the 2020 program is taken from John 5. Jesus said to the man who had been sick for 38 years: “Rise, take your mat and walk”. This man had no hope. He was lying down next to the pool, knowing he had no chance to be healed by its water. Then Jesus asked him “Do you want to be made well?” He couldn’t answer with a logical “Yes, of course!” Instead, he first explained all the problems he was facing to reach the water. To the Samaritan woman, Jesus would have given the living water (John 4, 10) but to this man, he said “Stand, take… and walk” (John 5,8). It is impossible for me not to see a parallel with the daily news. From Beirut to Hong Kong, from Paris to Bethlehem, people are standing in the streets to protest. Women and men are wearing black on Thursdays to stand in solidarity with women to say “No” to gender based violence. Children and youth are standing in the streets to shout “Stop pollution - be responsible.” What do all those stories have in common? Increasing poverty, injustice and suffering, and a fear of the future. But what about the ones who are unable to lift up their voices? We reach out to them, and together we pray like our Zimbabwe sisters invite us to: “From our corner of the world, we rise and walk. We are caretakers of God’s creation. Help us learn to love one another; Give us wisdom and grace to be peacemakers" “Do not be afraid” - let us receive the angel’s message as a gift. May God give us strength to be peacemakers in this troubled world. We extend our heartfelt thank you for your friendship, commitment, prayers and actions of solidarity. Blessings to you during this holiday season! - Laurence Gangloff, WDPIC Chairperson
 The WDP Australian National Meeting is held every other year. This is a time when leaders from across the regions of Australia come together, some traveling as far as 3,500 km to attend. As we meet this year in the beautiful foothills of the Dandenong Ranges, we are reminded of the beautiful but diverse land in which we live. We are often described as a sun burnt country and in many of our local areas, we are experiencing drought and bush fires. But in others, such as our meeting place, the land is lush green and fertile. It is a time to share ideas, connect with friends, and hear of our ecumenical WDP movement across the nation. The meeting always begins with a thanksgiving and remembrance of those women who have served WDP faithfully. This brings to the forefront the responsibility we have as the current gate keepers to continue the good work that has been done. We started a conversation imagining the future of WDP in 5 years’ time. This future is one that crosses ecumenical and cultural barriers. Australia is a diverse nation in geography as well as ethnically. Engaging with the modern women in Australia is a challenge, our role in the home and workplace has dramatically changed over the past 20 years. We need to develop new platforms for communication, to engage with the women of today and their communities, to remain relevant. Investing in the development of our website and social media platforms is a way of promoting, communicating and connecting with women who may not be able to attend a service. Current reports from local regions across Australia highlight how World Day of Prayer is celebrated and the feedback is encouraging. As for the future, we know that we need to be open to new ideas and initiatives. We pray and trust in God! We have learned many things from our WDP sisters as we celebrate their services. For example, how to care for our environment and be faithful stewards with the resources God has given. Our Zimbabwean sisters have given us a challenge to rise, to not be afraid of the future and take our mat and walk. Let’s walk together in the same direction. God is offering us the steps for personal and social transformation. How will we live this out in the context of our WDP communities? - Vicki Marney, WDPIC Regional Representative Pacific
 1994 artwork for WDP Palestine Coming from the land and city where the miracle in John 5 took place, gives me a special responsibility to share my reflection on the Zimbabwe theme “Rise! Take Your Mat and Walk” and what prayerful action really means. How will we walk? The site of the Bethesda pool still exists today as proof of the belief of people who were healed or hoped to be healed when and if the angel stirred the water. The site is part of the buildings where the church of St. Anne, traditionally the home of the Virgin Mary’s parents, stands. To reach the building, you still have to pass through the Sheep Gate, also known as the gate of the twelve tribes and that of St. Stephen, who was stoned in Jerusalem. This is one of the seven gates that lead into the Old City, the Via Dolorosa, the 14 Stations of the Cross and the Noble Sanctuary, the Dome of the Rock, holy to Muslims. After all Jerusalem is where the three monotheistic religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam meet. Since 1967, this gate is guarded by heavily armed Israeli soldiers who allow or deny entry to both local and pilgrims depending on circumstances or the soldiers’ whims. In Jerusalem where crowds of sick people, blind, lame and paralyzed gathered around the pool awaiting to be healed, people today push and shove trying to flock in to visit holy sites and to praise God. As women followed Jesus on the same path to the cross, mothers, wives, sisters and daughters walk without losing hope. We, the World Day of Prayer Palestine Committee wrote about this in the 1994 service “Go, See and Act” and invited our sisters around the world to walk with us in prayerful action. Like the lame man afflicted for 38 years, the Palestinian people have been waiting for almost a century for an angel to remove the yoke of oppression imposed upon them, and women are still striving for their equal rights. In answer to the question posed by Jesus: “Do you want to be well again?” We cry out: “Of course! But how can we when there is injustice, oppression, hatred and killing in your land? The land of Jesus has not known the peace he announced nor lived the message of love and equality among brothers and sisters! Please, Jesus, heal us and walk with us so that humanity can be restored.” When Jesus tells us: “Get up, pick up your sleeping mat and walk around” we respond: "Even if individually we do try to stand up and bring harmony within our own circles, the work of your peacemakers is not yielding fruits. We need the massive efforts of good people who believe in human beings, who do the will of God and are supported by global moral values and international law." So, I offer this prayer: With your help, O Lord, shake off the injustice, remove the occupation, liberate us, as you announced in the synagogue in Nazareth, so that we can walk as your children created in your divine image. We feel that under the oppressive system, we are not allowed to carry our sleeping mat, to walk freely and to have a state of our own. Dear God, who created us in your divine image and gave us our dignity, help us to resist, nonviolently, against all forms of humiliation and dehumanization imposed upon us. Help us to respect others and to follow the commandment of do not kill, morals which have disappeared in the hearts of leaders in your country and the world. Heal us, O lord, teach us humility and grant us the gift of reconciliation, so that we can all walk together with love. We, women of the World Day of Prayer have our differences, but we all care for God’s beautiful creation and want to preserve it. Let us learn from each other, and spread love among all, for we women can be more powerful with compassion. Amen. - Nora Carmi, WDPIC Regional Rep. of the Middle East
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