The World Day of Prayer is a world wide ecumenical service which promotes justice and equality for women through prayer, partnerships, service, and celebration. It is a movement of many faith traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer on the first Friday in March.
This service has been celebrated in Pitman for years, and each year it is held at a different church. This year, PUMC will host the service.
WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
- Friday, March 1
- 1:00 PM
- Organized by the Women of the world, but the service is open to everyone (man, woman, child).
Each World Day of Prayer worship service has a special theme, and is prepared by a different country. By participating in the worship service, we come to know how Christians of other countries, languages and cultures understand the biblical passages in their own context. We hear about their needs and concerns and feel ourselves in solidarity with them. In this way it is possible to experience the richness of the Christian faith as it grows deeper and broader in an international. ecumenical expression.
Come. Everything is Ready…
This year, the World Day of Prayer gives us the opportunity to learn about a little known country; Slovenia, one of the smallest, and newest countries in Europe. The theme for 2019 is based on Jesus’ parable in Luke 14:15-24; “Come, Everything Is Ready.”
We will be inspired to open our hearts, and widen our circles, to offer a place to anyone who is not yet at the table.
Luke 14:15-24
15 When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.”
16 Jesus replied: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests.
17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’
18 “But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, ‘I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.’
19 “Another said, ‘I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I’m on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.’
20 “Still another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’
21 “The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’
22 “‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’
23 “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.
24 I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.'”
NIV
Informed Prayer Leads to Prayerful Action…
The motto of World Day of Prayer, “Informed prayer leads to prayerful action” affirms that prayer and action are inseparable, and both have immeasurable influence. Throughout the service, the women of Slovenia invite us to open our hearts and invite others to join us at God’s table as we walk in faith and prayerful action.
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