The World Day of Prayer is an international ecumenical Christian laywomen’s initiative. It is operated under the motto “Informed Prayer and Prayerful Action” and is celebrated annually in over 170 countries on the first Friday in March.
The movement aims to bring together women of various races, cultures, and traditions in a yearly common Day of Prayer, as well as in closer fellowship, understanding, and action throughout the year.
Through the World Day of Prayer, women are encouraged to become aware of the other countries and cultures and no longer live in isolation. They are encouraged to take up the burdens of other people, to sympathize with the problems of other countries and cultures, and pray with and for them. They are further inspired to become aware of their talents and use them in the service of society.
The World Day of Prayer started in the United States in 1884 when Mary Ellen James called for a day of prayer for the problems of new immigrants to America. Two years later, two women called together a Day of Prayer for the World Mission.
The first celebration of World Day of Prayer in the United States was held on Feb. 20, 1920 — expanded to neighboring countries, then on to Europe and other continents. The momentum caused Christian women and children to recognize the critical role of prayer in mission work, and their call to promote peace worldwide.
Every year, the World Day of Prayer is focused on a different country and a specific theme. On the first Friday of March, one country becomes the focus of prayer and understanding. Women worldwide learn the concerns and the needs of that focused nation and to empathize and feel solidarity with the women in that country.
Cuba is the focused country for 2016. The motto “Informed Prayer and Prayerful Action.” Theme: 2nd Chronicles 7:14—The Lord said,” If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear them from heaven, and will forgive their sins, and will heal their land.”
Prayer and action are inseparable and both have immeasurable influence in the world. Faith, courage and prayer birthed our great nation and guided America through more than 200 years of wars, natural disasters and national crisis. Prayer is a freedom guaranteed to us by the Constitution and a God-given right to all humanity. The opportunity to pray is a privilege, honor and a sacred duty.
Prayer is one of the most important activities in our lives because we are actually talking to the sovereign God of the universe who has all power and knowledge. He understands how we feel, knows what we think, and has the power to intervene in every area of life. In other words, prayer should be a priority in our daily lives. True prayer requires a relationship with God and comes from a sense of humility, realizing that we are accepted on the basis of the Lord’s mercy, not by our conduct.
In Newberry the downtown churches take turns serving as the host church for the celebration of The World Day of Prayer the first Friday in March each year. Aveleigh Fellowship Presbyterians in Newberry is the host church for The 2016 World Day of Prayer.
The Sanctuary of Aveleigh will be open for personal prayers from noon to 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. for all to come and pray for our Newberry community, state, and America. The scripture basis this year is from Philippians 4:5: Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
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