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

- Rosângela Oliveira, WDPIC Executive Director 

As preparations for the 2021 Vanuatu WDP celebration started in many countries, WDPIC held an online conversation with WDP Vanuatu on October 23, 2020.  Across 7 regions, 26 participants from 13 WDP committees came to the "Let's talk with Vanuatu" meeting.

The sisters in Vanuatu reflected on the 2021 theme "Build on a Strong Foundation" and informed on issues of child malnutrition, violence against women, the impact of COVID-19 on the islands and their plans for WDP 2021.
                           
Annette Poitier, WDP Bahamas, was invited to offer the opening prayer, to which she responded with appreciation for being part of a group that prays. In her prayer, she thanked all for being together from different time zones, and affirmed that we know that we are standing on a firm foundation when we are standing on prayer.
 
“Build on a Strong Foundation, it is really an exciting theme. When we think about it, we automatically switch to our country motto ‘In God we stand’. Without God we can do nothing. Our country’s development after 40 years of independence reflects our belief that in God, we stand. In these uncertain times, the theme becomes very relevant to the world and to us. We hope that all will build their foundation on God alone, and then all things will be added,” affirmed Cindy Vanuaroro, from WDP Vanuatu.
 
Through the country background information and the worship service’s prayers, we learned about some of the challenges in Vanuatu, to which Ruth Dovo, WDP Vanuatu, offered some updates. According to Ruth, Vanuatu is experiencing a double disaster: the COVID-19 pandemic and the aftermath of Category 5 Cyclone Harold that hit the islands in April 2020. The cyclone season is from October to March, and although the people are resilient and prepared for the season, sometimes the destruction is more than what was anticipated. Now, the communities affected are recovering thanks to the support of organizations and churches.

Vanuatu is rich in natural resources like the fertile land and ocean, but some children may face malnutrition. This could be addressed with parental education, to help the families understand how to feed the children well.

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted the tourism industry leaving many unemployed. All the frustrations caused by this economic situation can be seen in the rise of domestic violence. That being said, this situation has also created an opportunity for Vanuatu to go back to its agricultural roots. Now, everybody is farming and gardening because it is not known when the COVID-19 situation will be finished. People are encouraged to have their own gardens for their own consumption and for commercialization.

When, Pollyanna Banga, WDP Vanuatu, last visited her home island, she got very excited. She comes from one of the islands where a volcano erupted and the people were evacuated. They are coming back and settling down, and women and young people are gardening. They started to plant again, and now they are harvesting the crop and living on that. “It is a good thing,” said Pollyanna joyfully.

Ruth Dovo is grateful for the government task force’s response to COVID-19. One of the issues they dealt with was the repatriation of seasonal workers from Australia and New Zealand, who had to quarantine for 14 days. The policy may have contributed to Vanuatu being considered COVID-19 free, which is very important, as the medical facilities are too limited to deal with an outbreak.

WDP committee representatives of Australia and New Zealand expressed their concern with the impact of the country’s closing borders to the seasonal workers from Vanuatu, whose families depend on them. 

In regards to plans for the celebrations in 2021, WDP Vanuatu created a working committee to organize several workshops for the empowerment of women, the worship service, a festive parade, and a big lunch with cultural performances. “Vanuatu is a Christian country,” continued Ruth, “so women in the church come to assist with prayers and support. We go through different challenges all the time, but we believe in God and know we are not alone. God is with us.”
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In the midst of the uncertainties, one thing we can say for sure, "we are covering Vanuatu in our prayers," concluded Janice Soyer-Delaney, from WDP Tobago. WDPIC thanks everyone who participated in the conversation, which was adjourned with Ruth reciting the Lord’s Prayer in her mother tongue from the Pentecost Island.

Watch a video summary on our Youtube channel!

​ - Rosângela S. Oliveira, WDPIC Executive Committee

​There was an overall excitement that took charge of the atmosphere around the world throughout the preparations and services. We heard very positive comments from different churches and organizations. They told us to “keep up the good work.” Others wished they were the ones leading the program. Some organizations indicated that they would like to join in the World Day of Prayer programs and projects. Every woman got involved, regardless of their tradition.  

There was a great sacrifice by the committee members for the whole program to sail through. To put the materials together with participants from different parts of Zimbabwe and with no access to social media to facilitate our communications was our biggest challenge. Thus, we created a steering committee to coordinate the promotion of the activities and formed sub-committees to help with the fundraising. People were highly supportive of the World Day of Prayer, and gave very good suggestions for the promotion of the activities; we even got support from people in the government. Sacrifice, commitment and dedication are key! 

Those who managed to attend the worship service before the government ordered a lockdown expressed their gratitude as they felt the service was heartwarming. They were encouraged to propel above injustice, hatred, violence and walk towards Love, Peace and Reconciliation. 

We look forward to engaging with more community outreach events while we build up and improve on the prayer journey that has already began. Through our ecumenical relationships, we developed partnerships to support the mothers and care givers of Ramangwana Ravo Trust, the Mucheke Old People's Home and Omni Village Rehabilitation and Skills Development Center. Also, it helped birth relationships that empower women to share ideas on how to manage challenges in life and be self-sufficient. 
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This entire experience has reinforced how important it is to pray without ceasing for others and for ourselves. Without God we are unable to do anything. We depend on God for everything. God is God of the impossible. Is there anything too hard for God? 

- WDP Committee of Zimbabwe

The WDP Zimbabwe Committee's report was published in the 2020 WDP Journal. ​The Journal captures the lively presence of this worldwide ecumenical movement of informed prayer and prayerful action. Each country's story helps weave the wisdom and enthusiasm that the annual celebration generated in each part of the world. We invite you to view the Journal on our website and read the stories of this year's celebration. 

The World Day of Prayer movement, which had started in 1927, reached the land of the Holy One in the 60s of the twentieth century. It was no surprise or coincidence that participation started from Jerusalem, the city of the resurrection, where Jesus, on his way to be crucified, had advised the lamenting women: “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me:  weep rather for yourselves and for your children” (Luke 23:28-31). 

Jesus Christ was warning of the difficulties to come and how women would have to bear responsibility, care for others and be compassionate. This warning is still relevant today in His land and any other land where injustice is rampant.  

Since WDP is a women’s led ecumenical initiative, a small group of women of different denominations, already active in education and social work, observed the yearly worship service on the first Friday of March, reading the prayers written from countries around the world. In a city which is the seat of all thirteen recognized churches, the yearly worship service was first held in the protestant churches, hence the involvement of pastors’ wives in organizing and calling upon their ecumenical sisters. It is important to note that almost all Christian families are interconnected with other denominations by marriage.

​However, the responsibilities of women differ from one church to the other and it is only very recently that women are part of decision-making bodies in the Church. Through its connections with active women’s organizations the World Day of Prayer group earned a special status above the usual decorating the church, preparing refreshments and singing in choirs. The global connection brought awareness to common women’s needs. Soon small changes became evident, especially after Aida Haddad, the wife of late Lutheran Bishop, Daoud Haddad, became the coordinator of WDP Palestine. Locally, services started being held in different churches and were extended to cities outside Jerusalem such as Ramallah, the Bethlehem and Nablus regions as well as in the Galilee. Regionally, links were built with WDP in Jordan, Lebanon and Egypt; and internationally, the women of Jerusalem became members of the International Committee of the World Day of Prayer. Aida Haddad, from the Lutheran Church, served for two terms, followed by Leila Carmi, Roman Catholic Church, for two terms; and Nora Carmi, Armenian Apostolic Church, is currently in her second term.  

The challenging turning point came when Palestine was selected to write the service for the 1994 worship service under the theme “Go, See and Act”. This was an opportunity to pray with, share facts and concerns, and call upon prayerful actions from the global family. An ecumenical team was nominated by leaders of five churches in Jerusalem to produce the worship service, and in coordination with the WDP International Committee, the prayers were shared with all communities. Once again, the women heard the call of the Savior, as the daughters of Jerusalem had done, and courageously exposed why the world still did not know “the things that make for peace”. Thirty years later, WDP Palestine has once again been given the opportunity to write the worship service for 2024, this time trying to live according to the principle of: “I beg with you… bear with one another in love” (Ephesian 4:1-3). 

The task is not easy. Reading the 1994 service again, which was included recently in the book: Christian Theology in the Palestinian Context published by AphorismA, one realizes that the call to the daughters of Jerusalem is even stronger today. The responsibility to care and work for the dignity of humankind is more urgent. Locally, there is still an unjust military occupation that violates all rights and demeans humanity. Regionally and globally, the COVID-19 pandemic threatens the lives of human beings, and above all, the nuclear threat of powerful countries is hovering over God’s beautiful creation. With all the efforts of peacemakers to respect and abide by international laws, one basic principle, which is the foundation of peace, is missing LOVE. As the daughters of Jerusalem prepare to write the WDP 2024 prayers, they know that justice with compassion is needed today for His land, in the Middle East and the rest of the world. In WDP words, this is our motto “Informed prayer. Prayerful action”. 
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Dear Sisters, have you heard the same call as the daughters of Jerusalem to go and tell the truth till the ends of the world? Love one another and do the will of God. ​

- Nora Carmi, WDPIC Regional Representative of the Middle East

Taiwan was selected as the writer committee for World Day of Prayer (WDP) 2023 during the WDP International Committee Meeting, which was convened on August 20-27, 2017, in Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná, Brazil. After two preparatory workshops, which will be led by Rev. Rosângela Oliveira, Executive Director of WDPIC, the worship service materials will then be prepared ecumenically, collectively and with grassroots women from 2019 until September 2021.

The first of the proposed workshops, a Strengthening National Committee Workshop, took place from December 4 to 6, 2019 when more than 30 participants gathered at Our Lady of Providence Girls’ High School, New Taipei City, Taiwan.

Local participants included women and young women from the Catholic Church (Taiwan Catholic), Yu-Shan Theological College & Seminary, Women's Prayer Group, the Mustard Seed Mission, the Salvation Army, the Methodist Church (Taiwan), Chang Jung Christian University (CJCU) School of Theology, YMCA of Taiwan, YWCA of Taiwan, Taiwan Lutheran Church, Taiwan Theological College & Seminary, the Garden of Hope Foundation and the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (Presbyteries/Districts).

Through various creative activities and dialogue, the three-day workshop aimed to strengthen fellowship, to build relationships, and to “brainstorm” concerning the worship service materials for WDP 2023.

During the opening worship, Rev. Rosângela briefed the participants on the historical roots of the World Day of Prayer and how the seed was planted. In the nineteenth century, Christian women in North America were moved to action when they saw the suffering of women around the world and in their own communities. They were active letter writers, and so they wrote letters and called for united prayer and action in solidarity with women across the globe.

About 100 years later in Taiwan, more than 30 participants from various denominations were challenged to write letters for the preparation of WDP 2023 under the theme "I have heard about your faith" (Ephesians 1:15). Following a Bible Study summarizing the background of the book of Ephesians, led by Rev. Dr. Wu Fu-Ya, former President of Tainan Theological College and Seminary, (Rev. Wu incidentally was the first female ever appointed as a principal of a theological institution in Taiwan!), the participants were asked by Rev. Rosângela to think deeply about their reaction to the theme. "What is it that you have heard about her/his/their witness of faith and love?" In small groups, the participants wrote down their letters according to the structure of Ephesians 1:1, 15-16, and 17-18. Their letters touched various levels and showed their concerns about personal health conditions, the Pearl Family Garden*, the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT)’s mission, the 2019 Hong Kong protests, and so on.
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Through this activity, the participants expanded their vision and identified specific categories: Women and Family, Women and Politics, Women and Health, Women and Environment, Women and Culture, and Women and Leadership. Based on the different categories, the participants began to think deeper about "What are the prayers and actions that women in Taiwan want to voice in 2023?"

During the discussion of Women and Environment, Vavauni Ljaljegean, a Paiwanese Evangelist from Mu-Lin church in Pingtung, Taiwan, told the participants a heartbreaking story. After Typhoon Morakot, a three-day rampage from August 6 to 9 in 2009, the elder Indigenous people who lost their homes and relocated in the plains took their own lives due to difficulties adjusting to an unfamiliar environment.

When it came to Women and Leadership, it was agreed that promoting equal representation of women in decision-making is important; however, the participation of women in leadership roles in Taiwan is still lacking and has a long way to go. Nancy Lin, former WCC Central Committee member (PCT), encouraged the participants to step up, lead and speak up.

For the closing worship of the WDP Taiwan SNC workshop, on the third and final day, the workshop participants used the materials of the Zimbabwe 2020 WDP program under the theme “Rise! Take Your Mat and Walk” (John 5:2-9a).
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May all the acts and efforts glorify God and let the voices of Taiwan be heard – we now look forward with enthusiasm to the second workshop!

By 陳怡婷 (Rachel Chen, PCT Information Center Staff) and Carys Humphreys, ​Administrative Assistant to the PCT General Secretary

When we were chosen to write the WDP worship service for 2018, we did not anticipate the powerful impact that being a writer country represents. We were honored and humbled by that realization. We were enthusiastic about having the whole world pray for our country; a country hardly known. We had the great responsibility of lifting up the care for creation, for the sustainability of our planet and the future of the next generations. The offerings we received were shared with projects and organizations we partnered with to make a difference in our communities.

For the Wildlife Protection all animals have their own value and are worthy of being treated with respect as independent beings. They aim to save and protect animals by treating them well, respecting their freedom and raising awareness about their integrity. They advocate proper care for domesticated animals, conservation of natural wildlife habitats and proper living conditions for animals held in captivity. The Unu Pikin Foundation has been committed to improving children’s education since 2003. Assistance and extra care is given to those with disabilities. Their book department sells and offers free books for schools and other institutions.  

Stop Violence Against Women Foundation actively contributes to the prevention and combat of domestic violence against women. Together with the government they take a prominent role in developing and influencing national policy for gender equality.

The Wi Oso Foundation teaches those who are disabled to grow and sell their plants and vegetables. Care for Moms is a project dedicated to offering support and guidance to women with breast cancer. Huize Albertine is a home for the elderly and Hope for Children is a shelter home for abused and abandoned children.
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There were many lessons to be learned. The first one was that we, as women, do have a powerful contribution to make to the world. With God as our guide, we came together to bring the necessary changes to our communities. We came out of that WDP experience with a vision for the future of our committee. It felt wonderful to be in prayer with our people and the people around the world!

- ​WDP Suriname Committee