World Day of Prayer 2022 – March 4th
I Know the Plans I Have For You
based on Jeremiah 29: 1-14
The World Day of Prayer (WDP), is traditionally held on the first Friday of March. Since 1927, a different host country has prepared the content of the World Day of Prayer service, highlighting its country’s culture and regional justice issues. The 2022 service was written by the England, Wales, and Northern Ireland World Day of Prayer Committee and adapted for use in Canada by the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada.
~ from information provided on the Women’s Inter Church Council of Canada’s YouTube Channel
Over the years, Trinity Shared Ministry has participated in Clearwater’s WDP Community Committee which planned and presented a World Day of Prayer Service in Clearwater. A service did not get planned for this year. Therefore, we are sharing the on-line service prepared by the Women’s Inter Church Council of Canada (WICC).
When we do gather for a service, an offering is collected which goes to WICC. This offering is used to provide grants for projects in both Canada and internationally. Information about how one can donate and last year’s grants are found near the end of this post.
Click on the image to access the online worship service.
Background Information from the World Day of Prayer International Committee
In the midst of all the uncertainties we are living under due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the WDP 2022 theme emerges like a balm of confidence. It is an invitation to place our trust in God in times of suffering.
The program is based on the letter that the prophet Jeremiah wrote to the exiles in Babylonia. The exiles were in a context of suffering, uncertainty, and opposing views on how to respond to the moment. Today, we come together to hear the stories of women who feel excluded, listen to the fear of a child refugee and learn to see the context of a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, and multi-faith society in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (EWNI).
For Jeremiah, God’s plan was clear, and we share this assurance by singing it. What is your WDP hope? Let the children and the youth guide your response. Then, come to celebrate hope by lighting a candle on behalf of the seven regions of the world, knowing that our prayerful action can bring to life the promises of God who, like a Mother and Father, cares for us all.
We are given a seed of hope to ponder where it needs to be planted in our lives and in our communities. Take this opportunity, to raise awareness on the needs of your community and offer the gifts of prayers and commitment. A seed, nourished by prayers of intercession and actions of love, bind us together around the world.
Reflection on the Scripture and the Service
Provided by Women’s Inter Church Council of Canada
Jeremiah 29:1-14 is the main Bible text for this year’s theme. Verse 11 from Jeremiah is one of hope and hope is the overarching theme of this worship service. To symbolize hope, light is used in the form of candles, and seeds for growth.
Think about the situation of the exiled people of Israel, who were longing to return to their homeland. Think about different forms of ‘exile’ in current countries. Three voices – Lina, Natalie, and Emily – name some of them: poverty, fear and isolation. Lina, Natalie and Emily tell their personal stories of how God’s plans for them have worked out in unexpected ways – plans that have brought freedom, justice, and God’s peace.
God’s plans for the people of Judah were not the plans they expected, or were looking for, but Jeremiah’s words brought them hope for a future they could not at that moment see.
The service to move from ‘darkness’ to ‘light’ – from negative places to the positive hope we find in God and God’s plans for us. Seven candles are lit during the service – one for each of the seven regions of the World Day of Prayer family.
Donating and Project Grant Information
Donations support World Day of Prayer grant programs. To donate, use the DONATE button on the WICC website that is found on the top right of the website or go to https://wicc.org/donate-online/. There are four funds from which to choose. The World Day of Prayer is the first in the list. Charitable income tax receipts are provided.
Last year, WICC was able to provide $100,000 in grants to four international projects and nineteen projects in Canada, with two being in British Columbia. The following chart gives a brief description of the projects. For more information go to https://wicc.org/grant-programs/grant-stories/.
