Prayers across the globe

As they have for more than 88 years, women from more than 170 countries will gather together in prayer March 7 for World Day of Prayer.

Dr. Karen Boyle presents on the root causes of HIV and AIDS. (Submitted photo)

Throughout the day, women collectively pray all over the world, beginning with the first sunrise and ending at the last sunset. Their prayers follow the sun's path around the globe.

WDP's motto is "Informed prayer leads to prayerful action." Through World Day of Prayer, women work to affirm that prayer and action are inseparable and that both have immeasurable influence in the world.

Each year, a different country serves as the writer of the World Day of Prayer worship service. The International Committee of WDP has representatives from every region of the world and they meet periodically to select future writer countries and WDP themes.

For 2008, the women of Guyana invite the word to rejoice with them at the natural beauty of Guyana.

Guyana, the "land of many waters," is in northern South America on the Atlantic Ocean. It sits between Venezuela, Suriname and Brazil. Although geographically on the South American continent, Guyana is culturally more closely linked to its Caribbean neighbors.

Locally, members of Church Women United will welcome the community to a morning service at the Old St. Vincent's Church in downtown Cape Girardeau. The Rev. Rahab Isidor, associate pastor at St. Vincent's Catholic Church, will speak. He was born in Haiti and has been to Guyana. He speaks Creole, French, Spanish and English. His mother and two brothers live in Haiti, and his sister is a nurse in St. Louis. He has been a priest since 2006.

The World Day of Prayer Committee of Guyana posed for a photo. (Submitted photo)

That afternoon, women from eight Jackson churches will meet at New McKendree United Methodist Church where Sandy Hastings will speak and present a slide show about Guyana.

Participants at both events will learn about the complex history and cultural legacies of colonialism that continue to this day. Guyana is struggling with HIV/AIDS, violence against women, trafficking of women and children, unemployment and a lack of opportunities for young people. Those who come will be encouraged to think about and respond to questions of justice and possibility in Guyana.

World Day of Prayer is supported by mission offerings given by individuals through annual services held around the world. Each of the 170 countries celebrating World Day of Prayer has an organized country committee of ecumenical women representing many cultures, races and faith traditions.

The World Day of Prayer USA offerings are used to provide grants to various women and children's programs. Each country's committee is responsible for determining the use of the offering as it relates to the theme for each year.

lredeffer@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160