The World Day of Prayer is a women led, global, ecumenical movement, which promotes prayerful living and worship for men, women and young people and helps raise awareness of the lives and concerns of others throughout the world, especially those who write the service.
In Sandbach churches held two services as part of the Day of Prayer. The theme was from Ephesians 4: 1 – 6. “I beg you, bear with one another in love.”
The service was written by a group of Palestinian Christian women before the current conflict and deals with their own personal experiences. Their hope was to encourage and inspire other women around the world to bear with one another in troubled times. As has often happened before, this year’s service was overtaken by the tragic events of October 7tth 2023 and the ensuing conflict and bombardment of the Palestinian communities in Gaza.
Those who took part in the service felt called to support the Christian women who created it and sought to listen prayerfully to their voices. That was an experience which moved many of us to tears.
We joined with world leaders, relief workers, medical teams and all those throughout the world who are praying about the situation, in prayer for an end to the killing, and for the wisdom to build a lasting peace.