World Day of Prayer

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER - MARCH 1, 2024

In 2017, a group of ecumenical Palestinian Christian women were chosen by the World Day of Prayer International Committee to write the 2024 service based on the theme “I Beg You … Bear With One Another In Love” inspired by Ephesians 4:1-3.

During COVID the committee of Palestinian women continued to work, pray, reflect, and write the Prayer Service for our World Day of Prayer this year.  These women are convinced that standing together as one global community and transcending our differences can result in a brighter future for the troubled area of Israel and Palestine.  The Committee of Palestinian Christian Women wants us to join them in praying together with hope that one day, the people of their land will enjoy peace and prosperity.

The prayer service will include testimonies of women who dare to speak the truth in love of their personal journeys living under occupation; it will include a brief devotional message as well as, music, hymns, and prayers.

Women attending the prayer service will be asked to join in the following commitment of the heart:

• “May we commit to working for peace as we stand with all women, particularly those experiencing oppression, violence, or discrimination.

• May we be faithful advocates for decision makers working on all levels of society, including religious institutions.

• May we bear with one another in love until God’s justice and peace reign throughout the whole world.”

-Sister Elaine Cole, CSJ

Video: واطلب اليكم (Wa atlubu) - I Urge You, by Najwa Hashweh Azazian (Palestine) | This song was especially composed for the 2024 World Day of Prayer.

World Day of Prayer 2023

The artist, Hui-Wen HSAIO, used several motifs that highlight Taiwan’s best-known features to express how the Christian faith brings peace and a new vision to Taiwan. 

The World Day of Prayer is a global ecumenical movement that invites people of different cultures and Christian religious traditions to unite in spirit on a common day of prayer each year. This service is usually celebrated on the first Friday of March. 

A different country writes the service each year and transmits it globally. This year, the theme, ‘I Have Heard About Your Faith’, based on St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians 1:15 - 19 has been prepared by a group of Taiwanese women. They also composed the music to accompany St. Paul’s message: 

I have heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, 

I have heard about your love towards all the saints 

I have not stopped giving thanks for you, 

And remembering you in my prayers.  

Music © Lai, Yin-ting for WDP 2023 

The service opens with the greeting: “Pîng-an.” “May God grant you peace, a peaceful relationship with God and with one another”.  The welcome follows: “On behalf of the sisters in Taiwan, we would like to welcome all of you to join us today in worship. Through this celebration, we would like to share our experiences with you, and witness God’s wonderful grace and mighty works.” 

The Sisters of St. Joseph are included with the United, Anglican, Lutheran, Presbyterian, and Roman Catholic Churches in the North Central area of London.  Each church has a small planning group, and I am the representative for the Sisters.  The area churches take turns hosting the worship service and this year, The Sisters of St. Joseph are the hosts.  Due to Covid restrictions, the service will be held virtually.  This is unfortunate because it is more meaningful to gather and pray together to fulfill the spirit of the movement.  

It has been inspirational for me to participate with the various church groups, preparing and leading those from the area who gather in the host church for the prayer service. It has given me the opportunity to meet and share with women from different church congregations.  Hearing about the history, geography, and the customs of the people of the various countries has been a meaningful experience. 

Uniting in prayer and spirit through the World Day of Prayer has the potential to change the lives of women and children. The movement’s 100 years of global prayer cannot go unnoticed! 

-Sister Loretta Hagen, CSJ