A table was set with candles and food for the World Day of Prayer worship service Friday at Holy Cross Church.
Fort Macleod residents were encouraged Friday to be peace-makers in their own corner of the world.
That message was delivered during the annual World Day of Prayer service at Holy Cross Church.
Twenty people turned out to watch a video that led participants through an hour-long worship service.
People were told that bringing peace, and change to a world seemingly gone mad seems like a daunting task.
However, being a peace-marker in your own community can help bring about change.
As your community changes, so does the world.
World Day of Prayer is an international, inter-church event that began around 100 years ago bridging social, geographic, and political barriers in 146 countries.
People pursue justice, peace, and reconciliation by standing together in prayer and action.
Christian women in Palestine formed a committee to prepare the service this year.
Participants were encouraged to reflect on the history and challenges faced by Palestine as citizens struggle for security, peace and independence.
They also heard about the efforts women have made during changes in ruling influences over the last century.
The 2024 World Day of Prayer theme was, “I beg you . . . bear with one another in love” based on Ephesians 4: 1-3.
An international World Day of Prayer committee is based in New York and there are national committees and organizations in each participating country.
In Canada, the World Day of Prayer is co-ordinated by the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada, one of the original founders of this prayer movement.
Offerings received through the World Day of Prayer are used for project grants empowering women and children in Canada and throughout the world.
All regions share in the grants, with consideration given to greatest need.
The Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada has used offerings received at World Day of Prayer worship services to distribute about $3-million for small projects in the past 40 years.
To learn more about the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada, go to wicc.org, call 416.929.5184 or e-mail wicc@wicc.org. The mailing address is 47 Queen’s Park Cres E., Toronto, Ont., M5S 2C3.
