The leader of this year’s Women’s World Day of Prayer has described it as both a “challenge and an opportunity”, following on from the attack on Israel on 7 October and the subsequent war on Gaza.
The day of prayer, on Friday 1 March, will be led by a group of Palestinian Christian women who wrote the service on the theme “I beg you, bear one another in love”. (Ephesians 4: 1-6).
Carole Bourne, chair of the day of prayer, told The Tablet that the main challenge has been “receiving comments and questions from supporters who are anxious and sensitive around the service, to ensure that they feel supported and remain hopeful.”
Recently ordained Lutheran minister Sally Azar helped put together the liturgy which reflects on the personal experiences of the Palestinian women and encourages women globally to stand together during difficult times. Countries are allocated their year and Bible quotes five years in advance – this year’s country and quote were chosen before the outbreak of the current conflict in Gaza.
The Women’s World Day of Prayer is an international female-led ecumenical movement dating back to the nineteenth century. It promotes prayerful living and worship to raise awareness of the stories and struggles of those throughout the world. The allocated biblical quote provides a theme which is developed by a national committee into an order of service for the day of prayer.
Halima Aziz, an artist of Palestinian heritage, is this year’s artist for the day of prayer and her oil painting titled “Praying Palestinian Women” depicts three women praying beside an olive tree.
The representation of female voices of national committees from Suriname to Samoa, alongside the international perspectives of those from all branches of Christianity, is intended to encourage women with little political power to remain faithful in the face of adversity.
To show support and to take part in this year’s services for the Women’s World Day of Prayer 2024, visit www.wwdp.org.uk to find local times and ecumenical services across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with Welsh translations provided.
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