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Women’s World Day of Prayer
1 The annual Day of Prayer on Friday, 3rd March began as dawn broke over the islands of Tonga in the Pacific, and continued across each continent like a great Mexican wave until the last service of this special day on the Pacific islands of Samoa. Over 3 million people worldwide were involved, and in the United Kingdom over 5000 services were held.
2 The theme of the service was ‘Signs of the Times’, and had been prepared by the Christian women of South Africa, a country known as the ‘Rainbow Nation’ because its people are from very diverse backgrounds, cultures and traditions. Within this diversity South Africans may be described as sharing warm hospitality, a deep sense of spirituality, music, a love of sport, the outdoors and ‘ubunto’, a particularly African concept focusing on a respect for human dignity.
3 The accompanying graphic, designed by a South African, was inspired by Luke 21 and Revelation 22 to portray the hope that we have in God, and the signs of the times from an African perspective. The border includes three-legged pots, symbols of fellowship in South African communities. The image of the leaves is the central focus: they are our hope for the healing of the nations and a reflection of the Trinity. The small icons symbolise: the features of the end times; the ribbons of solidarity with all who suffer as a result of HIV/AIDS; and the small leaves, the children of God, challenged to reflect the signs of hope and peace in this broken world.
4 In a life that symbolises the triumph of the human spirit over man’s inhumanity to man Nelson Mandela accepted the 1993 Nobel Peace prize on behalf of all South Africans who suffered and sacrificed so much to bring peace to their land during the years of apartheid. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission under the leadership of Archbishop Desmond Tutu gave many the opportunity to express their anguish, sorrow and anger, paving the way for forgiveness and healing. However South Africa still has real problems, including the spread of HIV/AIDS, poverty and drug crime and abuse. Violence both outside and within the home, especially against women and children, crosses cultural and economic boundaries.
5 In our service we developed the theme through: Signs of the end times (Luke 21:5-19); Signs of new life (Ezekiel 37: 1-10), and Signs of love and service (Matthew 26:1-13). We were challenged to discover that we as followers of Jesus, who is the true Sign of the Times must be the signs of hope, love, care and joy, pouring into our communities the gifts that God has showered upon us.
6 Prayer lay at the heart of the service; including a joyous African psalm of praise, and thought-provoking prayers of confession. Through the motto of the WWDP ‘Informed Prayer, Prayerful Action’ we are encouraged to have a continuing relationship in prayer and service with our sisters in many countries and in our own neighbourhoods.
7 During the year Mrs Josie Owens came to the end of her service on the National Committee. She had served for nine years, including time as Conference Co-ordinator for the South Eastern Region, and a term as Vice-Chairperson. The Committee expressed their gratitude and thanks to her for all that she had done for the work of the Movement. It is my privilege to follow in her footsteps, and my prayer is that I may make a useful contribution.
8 In 2007 the WWDP celebrates the 75th anniversary of the first service in England with the theme: ‘Continuing to HOLD FAST IN PRAYER’. There will be services of celebration in London, Bristol and Leeds. Further information about these events and the WWDP may be obtained from the web site: www.wwdp-natcomm.org, or the office at Commercial Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2RR. (tel: 01892 541411)
Eileen Rhodes
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