On Friday 2nd March over 3 million people world wide will be praying and worshipping together during an annual day of prayer, using a form of service prepared by Christian women in Malaysia.

 

Jean Hackett, president of the National Committee of the Women’s World Day of Prayer movement in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, said:

 

“This is always an exciting day as a great wave of prayer sweeps the world, beginning when the first service is held in the Queen Salote Girls School in Tonga and continuing around the world until the final service takes place, some 35 hours later, in neighbouring Western Samoa. By then the day will have been celebrated in over 170 countries and more that 6,000 services will have been held in the British Isles alone.”

 

Malaysia is a multi-religious country. Throughout its history it has attracted migrants from other parts of Asia and beyond and it is one of the wealthiest and most developed countries in South East Asia. Women have made important contributions to its social and economic development but, nevertheless, they still face discrimination and violence at all levels of society.  Even today a girl child is seen as less valuable than a boy. Malaysia is now the most popular destination country in Asia for migrant workers and human trafficking has become a sophisticated and organised operation.

 

Although Malaysia’s multi-ethnicity has added to the rich heritage of its land and people, it has also given rise to many problems. In the service those issues of concern are named and the women voice their hope for the future, Justice for all is their hope, and their prayer is “Let Justice Prevail”.

 

Although organised and led by women, this is essentially a day of prayer for everybody, demonstrating our solidarity with our sisters and brothers in other countries and all are welcome to attend. Further information and resources, together with details of services in your area, can be found on the WWDP website at www.wwdp-natcomm.org.

 

 

                                                                                                                   

 

art by Hanna Varghese