World Day of Prayer
An International Movement
The World Day of Prayer is a worldwide movement of Christian women of many traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer each year, and who, in many countries, have a continuing relationship in prayer and service.
- It is a movement initiated and carried out by women in more than 170 countries and regions.
- It is a movement symbolized by an annual day of celebration - the first Friday of March - to which all people are welcome.
- It is a movement which brings together women of various races, cultures and traditions in closer fellowship, understanding and action throughout the year.
Through World Day of Prayer, women around the world:
- affirm their faith in Jesus Christ
- share their hopes and fears, their joys and sorrows, their opportunities and needs.
Through World Day of Prayer,women are encouraged:
- to become aware of the whole world and no longer live in isolation
- to be enriched by the faith experience of Christians of other countries and cultures
- to take up the burdens of other people and pray with and for them
- to become aware of their talents and use them in the service of society.
Through World Day of Prayer, women affirm that prayer and action are inseparable and that both have immeasurable influence in the world. The motto of the World Day of Prayer is "Informed Prayer and Prayerful Action".
The International Committee
The worldwide growth of the World Day of Prayer movement called for international involvement in planning and responsibility for World Day of Prayer. The World Day of Prayer International Committee (WDPIC), made up of representatives of National/Regional Committees, first met in 1968 in Sweden. It continues to meet in a different area of the world every four years: Thailand (1970), Mexico (1974), Zambia (1978), Germany (1982), United States (1986), Jamaica (1990), Australia (1995), South Africa (1999), England (2003), Canada (2007).
Each meeting brings special contributions to the growth of the movement when women gather:
- to share experiences of World Day of Prayer
- to select themes and writers for the worship service
- to elect an Executive Committee that is ecumenical with representatives from Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant traditions and comprised of a Chairperson, Treasurer and Representatives from Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Europe, Latin America, Middle East, North America and the Pacific
- to arrange for staff services and to prepare a budget based on contributions from National/Regional Committees and special gifts
- to consider ways by which the movement may grow.
WDPIC Executive Committee Members
Chairperson: S. Annette Poitier (Bahamas)
Treasurer: Marcia Florkey (U.S.)
Africa: Véronique Lusieboko Lutatabio (Dem. Rep. of Congo)
Africa: Assah E. Mgonja (Tanzania)
Asia: Zeneida C. Maturan (Philippines)
Asia: Sheree Wong Suk-ling (Hong Kong)
Caribbean/North America: Allison Carter (Barbados)
Caribbean/North America: Marilyn Fortin (Canada)
Europe: Jean Hackett (England, Wales and North Ireland)
Europe: Corinna Harbig (Slovenia)
Latin America: Elisabeth Delmonte (Uruguay)
Latin America: Ormara Nolla (Cuba)
Middle East: Laila Carmi (Palestine)
Middle East: Lucy Ishak Guirguis (Egypt)
Pacific: Vaieli Fuiono (Fiji)
Pacific: Pauline Smit (Australia)
Upcoming Themes and Writing Countries
2008: “God’s Wisdom Provides New Understanding” (Guyana)
2009: “In Christ There Are Many Members But One Body” (Papua New Guinea)
2010: “Let Everything That Has Breath Praise God” (Cameroon)
2011: “How Many Loaves Have You?” (Chile)
2012: "Let Justice Prevail" (Malaysia)
2013: "I was a stranger and you welcomed me" (France)
2014: "Streams in the desert" (Egypt)
2015: "Do you know what I have done to you? " (The Bahamas)
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