WOMEN’S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER
Come – Everything is Ready!
The service in this area will be at
Ruxley Church, W. Ewell on Friday 1/3/19 at 2pm,
followed by refreshments.
The interdenominational movement of the World Day of Prayer invites everyone to attend one of over 5,000 services being held on Friday 1st March with the title ‘Come – Everything is Ready.’
We will join an estimated 3 million people around the world that day in a service which has been written this year by the women of Slovenia.
If you are unable to come to this service then we invite you to use this page and join us in prayer wherever you are.
Women of Slovenia, one of the smallest and youngest countries in Europe, have prepared this year’s service and they encourage us to reflect on the barriers they have faced since the end of the Second World War when their country was a part of Yugoslavia, a Marxist socialist republic. They share the challenges they have met and the hopes they have for the future.
At the heart of the service is an open invitation for all to come to God’s table, ‘Come – everything is ready!’ We hear the voices of some of those coming to the table, wives, mothers and grandmothers, Roma people, refugees and migrant workers. Their stories reflect the political and economic situation of Slovenia from the time it was a socialist-communist state to the present day.
Share with God’s people who are in need. Practise hospitality.
Romans 12:13
Jesus said ‘Come!’
But I was too busy.
Jesus said ‘Come!’
But I was too sad.
Jesus said ‘Come!’
There was something more pressing.
I didn’t go.
I kept saying ‘No!’
Jesus said ‘Come!’
And others –
unloved, poor, vulnerable, lost,
the forgotten, oppressed –
said ‘Yes!’
Went instead.
And were welcomed
and blessed.
Kathleen Skinner, Together in prayer
In a world where we are so involved with our own lives,
help us Father to see those in need
and share the bread you give us.
As you invite us to come and dine with you,
may we also extend the invitation to others without hesitation, fear or discrimination.
May your light and love shine through all of us as we dine with you.
Amen
Gladys Kusiwaa, Y-Pray 2018
Dear God,
Help me to be humble and passionate about you.
Help me not to take for granted your love and your blessings.
Help me to be eager and open to your invitation.
Help me to think about others less fortunate than myself.
Help me to be willing and make time to join your party.
Help me to learn from and be blessed
by those I would not normally choose to meet.
Help me to be ready for your kingdom.
Mary Lishomwa, Y-Pray? 2018
Please, bring your prayer petitions to God with the words:
Gospod usliši našo prošnjo.
Which means “Lord, hear the prayer we humbly offer”, in Slovenian
You may wish to include in your prayers:
¬ Democracy and solidarity
¬ Fair access to food, health care and social security
¬ Education and the rights of children
¬ The elderly; their contribution and care
¬ The voice and witness of minority communities
¬ Ecumenical relationships and interfaith co-operation
Our vision is a world in which all women can make decisions about their own lives.
As we move forward, we look signs of encouragement and solidarity.
May we be blessed in this endeavour by
God the father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen
With blessings from the WDP committees and the Christian women of Slovenia.
