World Day of Prayer activities will begin 9:30 a.m. Friday, March 3, at Osceola United Method Church, 130 W. Grant St.
Honoring the impact of both prayer and action, the World Day of Prayer encourages men, women and children of all denominations to pray with — versus for — their fellow man and seek to understand their challenges.
“The idea is to start a prayer chain that starts with the first sunrise and follow it around the world,” says United Methodist Women member Sue Godfrey. “We’re hosting the World Day of Prayer service for anyone locally who can attend.”
No one quite remembers how the United Methodist Women in Osceola got involved or how long they’ve led the service each year. They have between 20 and 40 people take part, on average. Men are more than welcome to come, though it is traditionally women who have organized the event and hosted it in churches all around the world.
“Every year, a different country puts together the service,” said Godfrey, pointing out that each theme begins with the Gospel.
In 2017, women from the Philippines share their culture, their struggles and their concerns through the program entitled, “Are We Being Fair?” Harkening back to the parable of the laborers in the vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16), the service not only focuses on sustainable communities but the world as whole.
“Environmental changes are putting people out of their homes,” said Godfrey. “It asks the question, ‘Are we doing the best we can to keep our planet sustainable?’”
Informed giving The World Day of Prayer holds its motto at heart: “Informed prayer leads to prayerful action.” The service itself is a testament to sharing more than concern, but real connection, with people around the world. The second half of that motto is realized through donations responsible for funding an endless number of programs.
In the past year, World Day of Prayer grants have provided $2,000 for children and teenagers whose parents are struggling with addiction, $5,000 for transportation for women and children escaping domestic violence, $4,000 to support domestic workers’ rights in Chicago, $3,600 for a program designed to stop genital mutilation of girls in Cameroon and others. Christian, Muslim, Jewish, anyone is welcome and encouraged to take part.
“Most of them have the same beliefs,” said Godfrey. “It all seems based on the idea that we need to take care of each other.”