World Day of Prayer

On the first Friday in March a world-wide service is held, designed by Christian women from a different country each year. In 2020, St Michael’s together with our friends from local churches, St Botolph’s in Aspley Guise, St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, and the Methodist Church were able to join together just before the national COVID lockdown. Our service held in St Mary’s Church, had been written by the Christian women of Zimbabwe on the theme ‘Rise! Take your mat and walk’. We were encouraged to reflect on the past history of their country, share the challenges they have met together with hopes for their future of recovery and reconciliation.

For 2021 our service has been prepared by Christian women from the cluster of islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean – Vanuatu. Vanuatu is one of the first countries each year to start the wave of prayer which sweeps around the globe.

The theme for their service is ‘Build on a strong foundation’. The islands are located geographically in the South Pacific tropical cyclone zone, and in recent years have been devastated by cyclones, most recently in April 2020 when Cyclone Harold destroyed everything in its path, while Vanuatu was under a state of emergency during the COVID – 19 pandemic.

Our service for 2021 is to be hosted by St Michael’s, we aim to involve everyone, young people, men and women, from all our local community of churches, so do join us on Friday 5th March, either in person or on line to reflect, pray and celebrate this day with countries around the globe.