Christians will soon gather for the 96th annual World Day of Prayer (WDP), an annual event that brings together people to observe a common day of prayer and learn from women in different countries.
This year’s WDP occurs on Friday, March 3 at 2 p.m. at Minto United Church at 1036 Seventh Avenue Northwest. The women of Taiwan put together this year’s theme, “I have heard about your faith,” based on a passage from the Book of Ephesians in the Bible.
Christians are encouraged to reflect on the challenges Taiwan faces as citizens grow amidst struggles for independence internationally, as well as the obstacles that women face at home with equality and employment participation.
Minto United Church will host a coffee hour after the service, while all financial donations given will go toward project grants for women and girls in Canada and worldwide.
Last year, over 1.5 million Christians speaking 90 languages in 150 countries united in spirit to pray for relevant issues affecting women and children.
The most recent writing countries were England, Wales, & Northern Ireland (2022), Vanuatu (2021), Zimbabwe (2020), Slovenia (2019), Suriname (2018), the Philippines (2017), and Cuba (2016).
World Day of Prayer is a global ecumenical movement that brings together Christians of many traditions to observe a common day of prayer each year. Through preparation and participation in the worship service, they learn how their sisters from other countries, languages and cultures understand Bible passages in their context.
“We can hear their concerns and needs and can join in solidarity with them as we pray with and for them. In this way, it is possible to enrich our Christian faith as it grows deeper and broader in an international, ecumenical expression,” the website says.
The motto of the World Day of Prayer movement is “Informed Prayer and Prayerful Action.” Participation in the World Day of Prayer affirms that prayer and action are inseparable and have an immeasurable influence on the world.
The World Day of Prayer traces its roots to the 19th century when Christian women of Canada and the United States became involved in missions at home and worldwide. Since 1812, women have encouraged one another to engage in personal prayer and lead communal prayer within their mission groups.
Presbyterian women in the United States called for a national day of prayer in 1887, while Anglican women in Canada established a national day of corporate intercessions for mission in 1895.
On Oct. 19, 1918, Presbyterian women in Canada called together representatives of five women’s missionary boards — Anglican, Baptist, Congregational, Methodist and Presbyterian — “to promote the spreading of Christ’s kingdom through united prayer and action.”
That first inter-church meeting gave birth to the Interim Committee on the Federation of the Women’s Missionary Society Boards of Canada, which organized a national and inter-denominational day of prayer on Jan. 9, 1920.
In 1922, the Canadian and U.S. committees agreed to use the same theme and day for the Day of Prayer as U.S. women. This annual event became the Women’s World Day of Prayer in 1927.
The Canadian committee changed its name to the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada and now includes representatives from 11 church partners. This council continues to co-ordinate the World Day of Prayer in Canada and speak to issues concerning women of faith across the country.
