2013 World Day of Prayer
02-19-2013
By M. Edwards
McCormick’s Women’s Urban Network is sponsoring A World Day of Prayer at its annual worship service on Friday, March 1 at 7 P.M. at Sixth Grace Presbyterian Church, 600 East 35th Street in Chicago.
This year’s worship service will feature McCormick’s Visiting Professor of Preaching Lisa Thompson who will preach and Iglesia Del Pueblo-Hope Center who will provide the music.
This year’s theme, “I was a stranger and you welcomed me,” was selected by women from France. The French World Day of Prayer (WDP) Committee looked for a Christian response to struggles concerning immigration and for ways to welcome “the stranger.” The women who prepared this year’s worship service and Bible studies reached into Jesus’ identification with “the least of these” in Matthew 25 and drew on customs of hospitality found in Leviticus to paint a picture of welcoming the stranger.
“Women are actively engaged in urban ministry as pastors, agency leaders, social workers, advocates for the oppressed, entrepreneurs, and healers. We are faithful, tenacious promoters of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Many work with limited recognition, others serve the church on nights and weekends (working weekdays in other jobs). Almost all juggle multiple responsibilities for home and family. Finding spiritual balance is a profound need for us. We look forward to this annual opportunity to share with other women in prayer,” said Rev. Dr. Deborah Kapp, Women’s Urban Ministry Network Director and McCormick’s Edward F. and Phyllis K. Campbell Professor of Urban Ministry/Faculty Director of Assessment.
Since the nineteenth century, Christian women in the United States and Canada have initiated cooperative activities in many areas of concern for women and children, the role of prayer in mission work and the promotion of world peace through involvement in mission work worldwide. The first organized “day of prayer for the world” held nationally was in Canada on January 9, 1920. The United States soon followed on February 20, 1920.
Each year, a different country serves as the writer of the World Day of Prayer worship service and other materials.
Related links:
World Day of Prayer International Committee
World Day of Prayer USA
