The Global Faith of Women

IN faith – women shape the future. That’s the hope of Christian women in Panama in 2004.

As authors of this year’s service for the Women’s World Day of Prayer on Friday 5 March they reflect on the richness and diversity of women’s experiences from the Bible to the present day, concluding that: ‘Despite the immensity of the challenges, the faith of women is helping to shape the future of the world.’

Translated into more than 1,000 languages, the service is truly international and interdenominational, annually reaching women from Britain to Brunei, Antigua to Angola, Canada to Kuwait.

The movement started worldwide in the late 1920s. The first non-American woman to write a service for the movement was Helen Kim, from Korea, who wrote the service in 1930.

The day of prayer begins as the sun rises over the islands of Tonga in the South Pacific, and continues around the world until, 170 countries later, the last service takes place on St.  Lawrence Island off the coast of Alaska.

Each gathering will use the Panamanian text, customising it with guest speakers, props and music to provide a personalised and meaningful event.

Today’s Panamanian women are no doubt encouraged to believe in female potential to mould the world by the fact that their country now has a woman President.

With reference to pottery, one of the oldest crafts in the world, they bid all women pray together: ‘You are the potter and I am the clay; help me to be willing to let you have your way.’ It has the aim, says the International Executive Committee, of encouraging women to be aware of the whole world and not live in isolation.  Also that they take up the burdens of other people, praying with and for them. And that they become more aware of their own talents, to use them in the service of others.

But before any male readers now cast this article aside as ‘women’s stuff’ please note that Women’s World Day of Prayer services are not exclusive to women. Men and children are warmly welcomed too. This year, make attendance at your community’s event a family affair!