What does the World Day of Prayer (WDP) mean to me? World Day of Prayer has been part of my faith journey, since my grandmother used to take me with her on Friday to be part of the World Day of Prayer service. At that time, I did not know what was exactly going on, but I remember that as children we had to behave, and we were involved in the service. I never thought that my role would be extended to be committed to translating the materials into Arabic since 1990. At that time, the worship service was also known as the “Ecumenical day”.  

The World Day of Prayer is indeed an ecumenical day still. It is an experience of crossing borders together with other churches, and be enriched together. I believe this day challenges us to recognize that we cannot understand our faith away from the other, discovering the blessings received as we pray together. As Christians in the Middle East praying together is an urgent need for presence, role and impact.

The World Day of Prayer challenges us to cross borders with other countries, no matter where they are. Discovering how God is at work even in the farthest countries. World Day of Prayer is a solidarity chain where we are connected as the body of Christ.  

The World Day of Prayer is a day where we hear the voices of women. As they tell their stories of struggle from their perspective, we look at their insights in explaining the Bible and raising issues of injustice.  

The World Day of Prayer teaches us the deeper meaning of prayer. It is a time when we pray for others even when we are used to praying for ourselves. Even when we are in pain, we are challenged to pray for others' pain. To pray for countries that our political agendas are not aligned with. This day helps us to see beyond what we hear on the news and to see the people of God as our brothers and sisters no matter where they are. We meet on the level of God’s call that all may have an abundant life.  

I believe that during the distancing that COVID-19 created in the world, the WDP is a shaping experience against distancing, an experience of belonging to the Body of Christ in the world.  

We come together as the WDP to envision how we can be in mission today. How we can be the church for today that believes that prayer changes reality and together we can have a better tomorrow, hopefully with justice for all. “What does the Lord require” of us today is a key question that every service pauses on us.  

The World Day of Prayer is a day of hope, trusting that our prayers in action will change the World. 

On the first Friday of March 2022, communities across the world will come together to launch the celebration of the World Day of Prayer prepared by the women of England, Wales and Northern Ireland!     

The 2022 theme, “I Know the Plans I Have for You”, is an invitation to have faith in God even when we don’t see or imagine hope, because surely God has a plan for each of us, plans filled with hope and promise. 

Like 2021, we expect that WDP celebrations will be affected by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, as each country, region, town, and village are still dealing with the health crisis. We are grateful for the vaccines available and watch with concern for the communities that still do not have access to them.  

This is a time to be reminded of at least two of the WDP Guiding Principles. WDP services are an invitation to receive prayer and to be responsible and creative in organizing it according to the current pandemic context we live in. All of us have something to give and to receive. Through the WDP offering, women share their resources with women and children around the world. Be creative and supportive!   

What have we learned over the last two years that can be used for the 2022 WDP celebrations?  
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1. Have a conversation about #WDPHope with close friends, at home, or over the phone. You may discover how to pray with simplicity like during the beginning of the WDP movement. 
   
2. Stay safe and in places where physical gatherings are allowed, adjust the activities to follow the local health protocols. 
3. Connect online and worship together! WDP National Committees are offering alternatives to local groups to celebrate. We invite you to connect with the people you met before during WDP activities, or search your committee’s website for more information, and find out how to get the materials to celebrate in a creative way. Make it simple! Focus on what links us together as #WDPUnitedInPrayer.  
4. Celebrate WDP at home with your family! Perhaps it will be an opportunity for your family to discover why you are so committed to this prayer movement.  
   
5. The offering is usually given during the worship service. You are invited to connect with the WDP committee in your country to learn how you can send your offering that will allow WDP to continue its commitment to support the communities in need. The WDP offering is a sign of our “Prayerful Action.”  
   
   

Tell us your #WDPHope! Email it or tag @WDPIC on Facebook and @worlddayofprayerinternational on Instagram! Share you experience so that the world may discover the commitment WDP women have in the healing of their communities. 

Also, remember that on June 16-18, 2022, WDP National Committees will gather for a unique experience: the very first virtual World Day of Prayer International Committee Meeting, for “New Heart, New Mind, Called to Hope!” Be on the lookout for more information. 

Together with our England, Wales, Northern Ireland sisters we light the candle and pray: ​

As we look forward to the World Day of Prayer service on Friday 4th March 2022, we feel excited and blessed at the prospect of sharing our service with the world. The WDP 2022 service has been written by the women of England, Wales and Northern Ireland and many denominations were represented in the writing groups.  

The theme of the service is “I know the Plans I have for You” and two significant parts of this service involve the lighting of seven candles, to celebrate hope, and the distribution of seeds, as a sign of hope. With all that the world has been through recently it is an appropriate theme, with promise, and is an invitation to place our trust in God at all times.  

The past two years have been challenging and rewarding affecting the way the National Committee and local branches in England, Wales and Northern Ireland usually work. We prayed for perseverance and strength to survive the difficulties, learning all sorts of new skills quickly that enabled us to keep connected. Our world is experiencing a traumatic pandemic. However, the majority of people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have now had two vaccinations and a booster. 
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Although we are separated physically, we are united spiritually. Our candles and seeds in our service represent hope and this is the best message we can give to our sisters throughout the world. Our God is real and intercedes in the world and in all situations. Come and celebrate with us, your sisters in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on Friday 4th March 2022.  ​

The 2021 Celebration theme "Build on a Strong Foundation" has been with me spiritually since the writing process began in 2018, and especially since COVID-19 entered our lives. In the face of illness, isolation, suffering, and grief, this theme forced me to reflect on what is most important to me.  
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The parable of the wise builder of the house on the rock helped me cling to Jesus' teaching, to keep hope alive during the storm, and to discover the part of me that, at times, made choices more like the foolish builder. For Jesus’ invitation at the end of the narrative is indeed to listen to his words of life and to act on them.  

In addition to the text of Matthew 7, which was the inspiration for the theme, the song composed during the writing workshop particularly touched me. The refrain invites the world: "Let us build up Vanuatu with love and unity. We are family, we are one. We are Ni-Vanuatu." 

What a joy to see that the intention set by the first stanza has become a reality for our sisters who did not yet know each other when they arrived to the workshop in April 2018 - "It is time to get together as a nation and family. Let's forget our differences and let us work in unity. From the North down to the South, all the islands we are one. In God we stand, brothers and sisters, we are one." 

The joy I felt was even greater while watching the live celebration on March 5th, 2021. I recognized all the sisters present at the same church! For me, it was like an affirmation that they had heard the invitation to work together, and that they put into practice the words of Jesus: "Love one another as I have loved you" (John 15:12). In front of my computer screen, I experienced a moment of grace that I wish for each one of you.  

In the following pages of this Journal, you will discover many testimonies. Testimonies from countries or groups who may not have celebrated in person but found solutions to worship in a different way and continue building relationships. The creativity was incredible, and all the modern means of communication were used to hold a moment of prayer. You will also read that other groups were able to celebrate the World Day of Prayer in person, and that there too, the creativity was great, even extraordinary, to respect the sanitary requirements and experience a time of communion. 

As the preparations for next year’s celebration, written by the women of WDP England, Wales and Northern Ireland, begins we discover a word of life given by God that we can make our own: "I Know the Plans I Have for You". 

I cannot end these few lines without expressing my gratitude for the work of each woman involved. By offering the best of ourselves, wherever we are, we become witnesses of the risen Christ. This is a blessing! ​

- Laurence Gangloff, WDPIC Chairperson

En las reuniones por videollamada, de preparación por motivo de la pandemia y los cambios en las situaciones de vida de las integrantes del Comité, hemos considerado importante tener un tiempo para compartir individualmente cómo nos sentimos. Esto nos ha beneficiado para estrechar las relaciones, siendo un tiempo para escucharnos y fortalecernos. Oramos unas por las otras en cada situación de vida difícil, de trabajo o separación de seres queridos por fallecimiento. Buscamos al reunirnos y mantenernos cerca, actuar con empatía y solidaridad por la vida de quienes sufren para dar esperanza en medio de las dificultades y limitaciones. 
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Las rutinas en la vida de las mujeres y su disposición de tiempo se han recargado para algunas por trabajo a distancia dentro del hogar y atención a la educación de hijas e hijos y otras horas de estudio a distancia también. Las medidas y cuidados de otras personas dentro del hogar o familia también fueron delegadas y hacia las mujeres.  ​

Oramos por las familias, por personas contagiadas de COVID19, por quienes perdieron a un ser querido. Ha sido duro y dramático enfrentar la muerte de seres queridos por la manera en que se realizan los traslados y entierros de los cuerpos. Hemos conversado y reflexionado sobre el temor frente a la naturalización de las muertes a causa de COVID19 y la fragilidad en retirar la sensibilidad y empatía por las pérdidas cercanas.  

Observamos como situación traumática las diferentes formas de cómo se asume la pandemia en cada hogar.  En medio de las restricciones, se ha enfrentado con tanta dificultad las enfermedades por la falta de acceso a la salud y servicios colapsados para atender a pacientes regulares. Estas emociones encontradas las hemos compartido, recordando que la fe en Jesús es la que nos fortalece para continuar, siendo solidarias, manifestando empatía para con las hermanas y compañeras de DMO.  De cierta manera es una guerra vivida de diferente forma, nos levantamos, oramos por las y los enfermos, nos mantenemos pendientes del curso de la enfermedad y del proceso de salud de amigas y familiares.  
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Estando en casa durante la preparación y reuniones, nuestros familiares se interesaron en participar en la celebración, y de seguir conociendo sobre los países, así como se involucraron apoyando los equipos para realizar las reuniones en las plataformas digitales. ​

- Bianka Johanna Elizabeth Paz Carrera, DMO Guatemala ​

We are very grateful to our God during a pandemic that brought much uncertainty and affliction to our country. But we also had the opportunity to show our love to those people, who needed to be comforted by the fact that God's love has not changed. He has not abandoned us. God is still generous. He wants to be with us in these moments of our life. He has poured out many blessings and has arranged them all for our good (Romans 8). Although things have been difficult, we know that these challenges and sufferings have a purpose for our lives and have helped us to grow more. 

There were many things to pray for: asking our God to take control of all our actions; motivating the group to pray but also to act in the midst of so many difficulties. We prayed with the people who were affected by anxiety and fear over the COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to our Lord, who up to now has taken care of us, protected us to be able to comfort and continue loving and praying always. 
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The celebration gave us a call for reflection in terms of making decisions and facing challenges (Matthew 7:24-27). The words of Jesus challenge us so that our life goes well and does not end in disaster. The call is to build on the rock who is Jesus and to listen; listen carefully to his words and put them into practice. The message invites us to decide to live by what the Lord says in his word, to love, forgive, cry with those who mourn, be simple and clean of heart, work for peace and justice. This way we will have a safe and welcoming home for everyone. A house built on the rock, which is Jesus Christ. ​

We have a high percentage of unemployed youth who have not been able to enter the labor market due to the economic crisis in our country. This problem has increased due to the pandemic. 

Like the voices of Vanuatu women, the women of our country are also affected by the same problems, perhaps more or less. There are women who, due to their poverty conditions, cannot and have not been able to acquire basic education. They leave their homes in rural areas and travel to the big cities, seeking solutions and many times the situation becomes worse. Many end up working in degrading manners to support themselves and the family they left in their hometowns. 

Our help to women in these unfavorable conditions would be to collaborate with them, guide them and connect them with organizations that protect women and provide alternatives so that they can train and acquire the necessary tools to be able to perform an honest job that dignifies them. 

As in Vanuatu, malnutrition is an alarming health problem in Panama. A large number of children under the age of five suffer the physical consequences of poor diet, they suffer from stunting and frequent infections. In other words, children are hungry and often get sick. They don't eat foods that can keep their bodies and brains growing strong. Poverty makes the most disadvantaged children face the greatest risk of all forms of malnutrition. 
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To the children in these situations, the help that the women of the WDP would give is to pray for our God to take control of this situation and to support with financial resources the foundations that protect and help these children. Pray and take action. ​

We were in total quarantine throughout 2020 and it was difficult for us to meet but thank God we maintained communication through calls to coordinate everything related to the program. The Worship Service was carried out and the attendance of 35 people was achieved in accordance with what was established with the restrictions of the health authorities allowed in the temples and parishes with the required capacity. It was possible to simultaneously transmit the worship in a virtual way for those sisters and invited people who could not participate personally. The service was a great blessing specifically because of its theme. 
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It was a different year in every way. Less face-to-face participation, but today we want to get up and build our houses, our nations and the entire world on the word of Jesus, who is our firm foundation. That must be the fundamental principle of our message today and forever. May the Lord make us wise builders for eternity. ​

El Comité del Día Mundial de Oración (DMO) en Cuba agradece los cuidados de Dios en medio de este tiempo de crisis sanitaria mundial, y los aprendizajes que de ello hemos podido extraer; volver a lo esencial de la vida, nuevas formas de relacionarnos, valorar la convivencia en familia, autocuidarnos para poder cuidar, alimentar nuestra espiritualidad y ser más solidarias, entre otras muchas enseñanzas.  Agradecemos la vida de las personas que coordinan y apoyan el movimiento del DMO a nivel internacional y en cada país, y que con su labor nos ayudan a mantenernos unidas, informadas, orando y actuando. Especialmente agradecidas por la solidaridad de nuestras hermanas, el afecto expresado en mensajes, oraciones y espacios virtuales compartidos. En este sentido, damos gracias a Dios porque los avances tecnológicos nos permiten comunicarnos con mayor inmediatez, celebrar juntas desde la distancia, ver nuestros rostros, intercambiar información y palabras de ánimo. Y porque a pesar de la distancia física, nos sentimos más unidas. Nuestro corazón se encuentra agradecido porque en medio de un contexto global de enfermedad, crisis e incertidumbres, la gracia de Dios y su Palabra, nos dan continuas señales de vida y amor fraternal, para vivir confiadas en nuestro día a día, y mirar con esperanza el futuro.  ​

Preparar las actividades del DMO en contexto de pandemia fue muy desafiante. Las iglesias no se estaban reuniendo por causa del Covid 19, y sólo en algunos lugares podían hacerse, con sumo cuidado y cumplimiento de protocolos sanitarios, pequeñas reuniones. Hicimos la distribución habitual de los materiales con la esperanza de que grupos pequeños pudieran usarlos, pero mayormente nos proyectamos hacia lo virtual específicamente para WhatsApp y Facebook que son las redes sociales más asequibles para nuestro contexto, donde el acceso a Internet es relativamente costoso y la conexión inestable. No obstante, la participación en la celebración virtual del grupo de WhatsApp, tuvo muy buena acogida y superó las expectativas del equipo. De modo que las actividades fueron preparadas en medio de la incertidumbre de no saber qué acontecería al día siguiente, pero con la certeza del Dios que escucharía nuestras oraciones en tiempo presente y con visión de futuro. Damos gracias a Dios también porque pequeños grupos de hermanos y hermanas en otras provincias de Cuba donde la Covid19 aún no se había propagado con fuerza, pudieron hacer pequeñas celebraciones presenciales. Varias denominaciones y organizaciones ecuménicas tomaron parte en las actividades.  

El entorno de la pandemia afectó la participación de los niños/as, quienes se encontraban en aislamiento en sus casas durante la cuarentena, ya que fue limitada la presencia de menores de edad en espacios públicos. En el caso concreto de Cuba, la tendencia es que los niños/as no poseen dispositivos móviles para conectarse a Internet, de modo que, aunque compartimos los materiales del culto infantil con las iglesias, y seguramente fueron empleados en las casas, no tenemos ninguna constancia de cultos infantiles propiamente.  

El grupo de WhatsApp creado permanece activo para compartir oraciones diarias, con unos 100 miembros habituales y nuevas personas que se suman paulatinamente. Consideramos como un aporte/logro el que podamos compartir oraciones diarias, las cuales son un canal de acompañamiento, ánimo y esperanza para personas enfermas y sus familiares. 
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Poder convocar a mujeres de todas las generaciones y de todas las provincias del país, para el culto virtual, nos dio una bonita perspectiva del diálogo intergeneracional, de la diversidad de dones y afinidades que poseen, y sobre la manera en que podemos construir juntas, intercambiando saberes, habilidades y motivos de oración.  ​

Agradecemos a Dios que en Cuba podemos contar con acceso igualitario a la educación, en todos los niveles, y que, en el caso de las mujeres, son mayoría en las estadísticas de los estudios universitarios.  Podemos notar que existe un especial interés en la atención a la infancia y existen proyectos para apoyar a este sector de la población. Por ejemplo, actualmente la FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) se encuentra desarrollando un programa para apoyar la desnutrición infantil, beneficiando a embarazadas e infantes.  

No obstante, surgen nuevos desafíos. En la pandemia, muchas mujeres han quedado desempleadas (sector turismo, sector privado, artistas, etc.). Incluso para aquellas que se mantienen laborando, el teletrabajo supone un reto tecnológico y de distribución de los tiempos en casa. En Cuba existe una tendencia de que las mujeres sean las principales cuidadoras de enfermos y ancianos en el hogar. Por otro lado, la crisis económica ha provocado un notable desabastecimiento de alimentos, medicamentos y otros productos básicos, por lo que se generan largas filas en los establecimientos, donde se percibe una mayor presencia de mujeres, quienes tienen un rol importante en la gestión de trámites relativos al hogar y en la tarea de buscar los alimentos.  

Coincidentemente, en el reporte diario de casos positivos al Covid 19, el mayor número de casos positivos es de mujeres. Cabe mencionar, que la presencia de los menores en casa también supone para la mujer la responsabilidad de acompañar el proceso educativo de los hijos/as, quienes asisten a clases televisadas durante la cuarentena. Estos factores, unidos al contexto de crisis económica y sanitaria, colocan en riesgo la salud física y mental de las mujeres. Para este caso, nuestro Comité desarrolla un proyecto de incidencia en la salud mental de las comunidades, desde el abordaje de la No Violencia, y la creación de recursos de resiliencia a través de las artes expresivas. El DMO Cuba mantiene una estrecha colaboración con el Programa de Mujer y Género del Consejo de Iglesias de Cuba, en sus acciones formativas de empoderamiento de las líderes eclesiales. 
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Para el acompañamiento diario, diseñamos recursos litúrgicos como oraciones, cantos, y otras herramientas formativas que sirvan a implementar una estrategia de autocuidado, redes de apoyo, y solidaridad femenina. Apoyamos en redes mediante las cuales intercambiamos motivos de oración y peticiones de medicamentos para intentar localizarlos y movilizar la solidaridad. También, en nuestras actividades y talleres, priorizamos emplear como facilitadoras a mujeres necesitadas, mujeres jóvenes o profesionales desempleadas, de modo que puedan percibir alguna bonificación temporal por su colaboración. Son pequeñas acciones, a veces de carácter temporal, pero mediante las cuales hemos podido acompañarnos mutuamente.  ​

Desde finales del año pasado y especialmente en este 2021 han acontecido muchos procesos (económicos, sociales, políticos, eclesiales, etc.) que, acompañados de la pandemia, han venido a agudizar la crisis mundial de la que no estamos exentos, y así a desplazarnos de nuestros habituales cimientos, zonas de confort o seguridades. Desde esta visión, el programa de Vanuatu desafía fuertemente a la Iglesia Cubana a fortalecer sus cimientos en la base firme, que es Dios y a buscar nuevas formas de apoyarnos mutuamente, aportando nuestros dones al servicio del reino, y en favor de los más necesitados. 

Ser sabio, en el contexto de nuestro país implica, sobre todo, ser creativos y resilientes. La creatividad ante un panorama de crisis económica, sedimentado por el bloqueo y ahora agravado por la pandemia, ha supuesto para cubanos y cubanas, la búsqueda de soluciones concretas, prácticas y cotidianas. La resiliencia ha permitido adaptarse a situaciones de carencia, desde una economía de la solidaridad, un crecerse ante las dificultades, y mayormente, confiar en que Dios nos sostendrá sobre una base firme. La sabiduría debe ir acompañada de la formación, pensando en las nuevas generaciones, que son el presente de la sociedad, y en este caso, también de la Iglesia, los cuales muchas veces carecen de herramientas necesarias para emprender sus sueños y, sobre todo, de valores sólidos.  

Ser sabios, en esta hora de nuestra realidad, implicará también apoyar a personas vulnerables, con pocos recursos espirituales y materiales, y especialmente a los adultos mayores, que son mayoría en nuestra población. La sabiduría para este tiempo implica enarbolar un discurso de no violencia, de diálogo intergeneracional, de acompañamiento pastoral y de inclusión.  

Cuba es una isla donde también los ciclones afectan la vida cotidiana durante una época del año.  Desde esa perspectiva insular, conectamos muy bien con los sentimientos expresados por la obra de arte de la artista de Vanuatu, y la inspiración del tema. Construir sobre una base firme, en tiempos de profunda inestabilidad, fue un aliciente emocional y espiritual para las mujeres cristianas vinculadas al movimiento.  Ha generado, entre otras cosas, el desafío de seguirnos uniendo, animarnos mutuamente en la fe, y obrar juntas creando alianzas de trabajo y saberes compartidos. 
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La metáfora de la base firme, como contenido principal de la celebración, nos ha inspirado a estar más unidas como equipo DMO nacional, reconociendo la solidez de nuestro movimiento, en Cuba, gracias a la misericordia de Dios y la labor de muchas cristianas de nuestro país.  ​

- Ruth Mariet Trueba Castro, DMO Cuba ​

World Day of Prayer Croatia’s preparation for the celebration on the First Friday of March took place under special circumstances due to the Coronavirus pandemic. As mentioned by Kata Lenđel, “Having faced the challenges of isolation and recent earthquakes which severely hit parts of Croatia, experiencing isolation and the impossibility of meeting one another, as well as constant fear of new quakes, the National Committee of WDP Croatia initiated online gatherings.”

Given the unusual situation, WDP Croatia sensed a genuine need for mutual prayer and used the benefits of virtual meetings and social media to come together. At the beginning of 2021 they started a cycle of online prayers which they called “Together in Prayer”. Brigita Hengl says “we focused our prayers on gratitude, repentance, faith, supplication, and trust. Together we meditated, sang, and recited the Lord's Prayer. We tried to find comfort and peace, strength, and inspiration for continued action, daily challenges, and successful preparation for the prayer with women in Vanuatu. We felt especially close to them as we are also exposed to natural disasters, like the earthquake that-ravaged parts of Croatia in December 2020. In addition to the spiritual message, we recognized the importance of developing social and geo-political strategies to build a healthy and just world for all.”

On February 24, they held an online Bible study on the theme Build on a Strong Foundation, Matthew 7: 23-27, led by theologian and philosopher Juliana Mladenovska Tesija. This online event was attended by participants from Croatia and neighboring countries like Bosnia and Herzegovina, Slovenia and Serbia. Finally in March, their worship service was held virtually over Zoom. Despite the special situation experienced this year, they felt enriched with new experiences and opportunities provided by the digital world, including the use of the hashtag #vanuatuwdp2021 on WDP Croatia’s Facebook page to promote prayers.

Sanja Sabljak highlighted a moment during preparatory meetings where one WDP sister shared her thoughts: “I was consumed by true fright and excitement facing the task of preparing a prayer that will be pronounced and supported by my fellow sisters from WDP. It looked like a good opportunity to share with them my most intimate beliefs and contemplations about God, my favourite Bible passages and hymns. This experience enabled me to test what can be shared about God's greatness, thanksgiving, penitence, faith, requests and confidence among sisters. I liked what I learned, and it encouraged me profoundly. It meant that I have matured in my faith. In my church, women don't often have an opportunity to lead common prayer which is the reason why this event was even more intense and beautiful. Sharing one's faith in common prayer was for me a moment of immense joy and intimacy in spirit with sisters. I am thankful for being given the opportunity to not only participate, but also organize and create the prayer meeting.”
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One great component of getting women to pray together within the World Day of Prayer celebration is to unite them in the spirit of Jesus Christ. Encouraged by such joy and peace given to us by the Lord through these online prayer meetings, WDP Croatia commits to continuing “Together in Prayer” into the next year.

Text adapted from reflections by WDP Croatia members: Kata Lenđel, Brigita Hengl and Sanja Sabljak

- Rosângela Oliveira, WDPIC Executive Director