from Inger Collier at Grays United Reformed Church
WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
(International and Interdenominational)
Receive children. Receive me.
Women’s World Day of Prayer is an international, ecumenical, prayer movement that invites women, from a different part of the world each year, to prepare a worship service through which their hopes and fears for their country may be brought before the whole world in prayer.
On Friday 4 March an estimated 3 million people in over 170 countries and islands will gather to observe the day of prayer, using an order of service written by Christian women in Cuba and translated into over 60 languages and 1000 dialects. In the British Isles alone over 6000 services will be held. The day Begins as the sun rises over the island of Samoa and continues until it sets off the coast of American Samoa, some 35 hours later.
The theme ‘Receive children. Receive me’ reflects Mark 10:13-16, which is the focus of the service and a reminder that everyone is a child of God and equally worthy of our love and respect.
People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
The Republic of Cuba is the largest Caribbean island, located at the entrance of the Gulf of Mexico and called ‘the key to the Gulf’. Politically at odds with the USA, Cuba suffered greatly due to the economic embargo imposed upon it in 1960 but has found strength within itself to move on and overcome many of it’s problems.
This is not a day of prayer just for women – everyone is welcome to attend the service and for further information and resources, together with details of the services in your area, please see the WWDP website: http://www.wwdp.org.uk/.
THURROCK WWDP EVENTS
Friday 4 March 2pm
West Thurrock Chapel
562 London Road, West Thurrock RM20 3BJ
+
7.30pm
United Reformed Church
Bradleigh Avenue, Grays RM17 5XD
