World Day of Prayer is a women-led, global, ecumenical movement.
The Christian Women of Palestine are calling us to connect with the land from where Jesus came; where he was born, ministered and died – and from where our faith began and is rooted. Despite living in an area of the world where there is ongoing conflict and the future is uncertain, the women of Palestine are sharing with love a reminder that they are there, and they want to give hope to everyone.
‘I beg you, bear with one another in love’
The theme of the service 2024 ‘bear with one another in love’ seems very appropriate for these women who will not give up witnessing the love of Jesus Christ. World Day of Prayer is an international, inter-church organisation led by women which enables us to hear the thoughts of those women from all parts of the world: their hopes, concerns, and prayers.
The preparation for the day is vast. An international committee is based in New York and there are national committees in each participating country. Regional conferences meet to consider the service and then local groups make their plans. Finally, at a church near you on Friday 1 March 2024 people will gather to celebrate the service prepared by the women of Palestine.
Join our World Day of Prayer service on Friday, 1st March at 7.30 pm, in Belmont Presbyterian Church.
The Day of Prayer is celebrated in over 146 countries. It begins in Samoa and prayer in native languages travels throughout the world - through Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas before finishing in American Samoa some 38 hours later. For further information and resources, see the WDP website: wwdp.org.uk
Artist for the Day of Prayer 2024: Halima Aziz
The artwork: “Praying Palestinian Women”
The artwork, shows three Palestinian women praying together in a peaceful, outdoor space and is aptly named ‘Praying Palestinian Women’. Halima has used motifs and symbols which indicate the origin and cohesiveness of these women: Olive trees are a sign of everlasting and abundant life because they can live for thousands of years. The Palestinian people are deeply rooted in their country and this is underlined by the golden roots of the tree. Poppy flowers are abundant and meaningful as they are a reminder of loved ones who have given their lives for their country. Traditional Palestinian dress such as the tatreez (embroidery), thobe (dress) or the white scarf symbolise the people’s creativity and their country’s rich heritage. The keys are a symbol of the hope to return back to Palestine.
On December 2 2023, WDPIC, in collaboration with the World Day of Prayer Palestine Committee, hosted a Global Conversation based on the WDP 2024 program and theme, “I Beg You… Bear With One Another in Love” (Ephesians 4:1-3). It was a great opportunity for the writing committee to introduce themselves and their experience developing the program for 2024, as well as the current situation.
Here is the time and location of our local WDP service again: