Next week, women of Egypt will lead Dunedin in prayer.
Friday, March 7 is World Day of Prayer, an international event that is led by Christians from a different country every year.
This year, Christian women in Egypt have written a program called “Streams in the Desert,” which is about the spiritual significance of water in the Bible and in people’s lives.
“It’s the same program all over the world, but everybody carries it out a little differently,” said Blaunshe Ciach, who is organizing the service at Knox Presbyterian Church in Dunedin with Betty McLeod.
For instance, this year three women from the Salvation Army will perform readings wearing three different costumes: traditional Egyptian dress, the clothes of a housewife and the modern style of a professional woman.
World Day of Prayer promotes unity among Christian churches in more than 170 countries and regions worldwide. Its purpose is to encourage women to take leadership in worship, explore the culture and concerns of women from each year’s host country, and bring together women of various races, cultures, and traditions in fellowship, understanding and action throughout the year.
The organization focuses on informed prayer, which connects prayer with action to create change in the world.
“The point is that we pray together for peace in the world,” said Blaunshe. “We pray for the ladies in Egypt and we work towards peace in our own country. We act in solidarity with the people of Egypt.”
For Blaunshe, this year’s host country holds a particular significance.
“Joseph and Mary fled to Egypt when Jesus was born because King Herod was killing the babies under two, as he heard a Prince had been born,” she explained. “Some of Christ’s work as a child would have started in the Egypt area. We place a lot of Canada for projects that benefit women and children in this country and all over the world, as well as to fund next year’s World Day of Prayer, which will be held in the Bahamas.
The event is organized by the New York-based World Day of Prayer International Committee. In the Creemore area, World Day of Prayer is hosted by one of six different churches every year.
The origins of the event, which is celebrated on the first Friday in March, date back to the 19th century, All people are welcome to participate.
World Day of Prayer services:
Friday, March 7
Knox Presbyterian Church, Dunedin, 10:30 am
St. Patrick’s Church, Stayner, 2 pm