World Day of Prayer on Friday, March 5, 2021

A series of devastating tropical cyclones form the backdrop to this year’s World Day of Prayer services to be held on Friday, March 5.  Services are being organised by local committees throughout the country.  All are welcome.

Through the resources they prepared for this global event, Vanuatu women share their faith in God’s love and address some of the many challenges they face.   Vanuatu is vulnerable to frequent disasters like last year’s Cyclone Harold, climate change, and now with Covid-19, the significant loss of income due to the collapse of tourism.  Like women everywhere, they face the everyday struggles of providing healthy food for their families, educating their children, and in a growing number of cases finding employment or adequate livelihoods.

The service and accompanying Bible study include their reflections on the story Jesus told about building houses.  In a land rocked by earthquake and cyclone, covered in volcanic ash, or threatened by rising seas, the decision about where to build can be critical.  “Building on a Strong Foundation” offers time for reflection and prayer.

“This service comes from the Pacific and explores familiar themes.  It is an opportunity for us all to share with ni-Vanuatu resident in Aotearoa and show our concern for the world we share,” says Pauline McKay, National President.

Artist Juliette Pita from Erromango island captures the prayer of the ni-Vanuatu in her painting ‘Cyclone Pam II: 13th of March 2015’.  The image is of a mother praying over her child, protected from the large waves by a palm tree held firm by its strong roots.  During the cyclone, artist Juliette Pita took refuge in a container with her neighbours.  When they opened the door the following morning everything had been destroyed except for her studio, a traditional hut made from palm trees.  Juliette says God answered their prayers and nature protected them from harm.

Offerings from the services will go to Christian World Service for a new food security programme of the Vanuatu Christian Council, the Bible Society of Vanuatu and the Interchurch Council for Hospital Chaplaincy as well as costs.

For more information contact your local World Day of Prayer organising group or Zella at wdpnz@xtra.co.nz  or phone 03 302 8587.

The World Day of Prayer is a global movement of Christian women who come together in prayer and for action in more than 170 countries.  Begun in the USA and Canada in the nineteenth century, it became a global movement in 1927. The first service in Aotearoa New Zealand was held in Christchurch in 1931.

 

For more information, please contact: Pauline McKay, National President pauline.mckay@cws.org.nz  Mobile: 021 289 1225

February 19, 2021