Artwork created by artist Reine Claire Nkombo, who is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo but now lives in Yaounde, Cameroon. The piece is titled "Praise the Eternal (God)," and is reflective of the culture, showing market women and others carrying out their daily routines, which includes the praising of God. The piece was commissioned by the World Day of Prayer German Committee who also owns the copyright for the artwork. More at http://www.wdpusa.org/.
By Magdalena I. García
Today is World Day of Prayer (WDP), a worldwide ecumenical movement of Christian women of many faith traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer each year on the first Friday in March. Contrary to what most of us might be inclined to think, this is not just a day for quiet meditation, much less for isolation. It is a day to join sisters all over the world in spirit, and to renew our commitment to support each other and to work for a better world.
The celebration website (http://www.wdpusa.org/) states that WDP’s motto is “Informed prayer leads to prayerful action.” What a beautiful and challenging motto! What does it mean to practice informed prayer? I think it means that we need to listen to each other, to study the Scriptures together, to read broadly, to watch more than one news source, to step outside our close circle of family and friends, to learn a foreign language, and so on, so that we know how to pray for God’s world. And what does it mean to engage in prayerful action? I think it means that we don’t just become busy bees or eager beavers, carrying on with habits without questioning their validity and impact. I think it means that we stop and reflect on our actions every step of the way, and, as necessary, we change course.
It’s a simple motto, but a tough task. If one listens to the prayers offered in church week after week, one quickly hears that they are mostly informed by personal and congregational wants, rather than community or global needs. And if one watches the actions carried on in church week after week, one soon notices that they are mostly shaped by personal and congregational traditions, rather than community or global cries.
“Through World Day of Prayer, women affirm that prayer and action are inseparable and that both have immeasurable influence in the world,” reads the website. Today would have been the 53rd birthday of my friend C., who died of breast cancer 12 years ago. She was a woman of prayer and action, whose short life dedicated to social service in the inner city continues to be an inspiration for many, and whose legacy continues to provide scholarships for people who want to pursue her same career path. The world would be well served if more Christians, like my friend C., and even people of other faiths, adopted the WDP motto not just for one day, but for every day.
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