WOMEN'S WORLD DAY OF PRAYER 2014

Women's World Day of Prayer is on Friday 7 March. It will be celebrated in over 170 countries!  Women’s World Day of Prayer is an international, inter-church organization which enables us to hear the voices of women from all parts of the world: their hopes, concerns and prayers.

The focus country of 2014 is Egypt and theme of this year is ‘Streams in the Desert’ and we are asked to reflect on our Christian role of being a ‘stream in the desert’ for those who experience spiritual ‘drought’. We believe that the service from Egypt has universal appeal. It also makes us aware of our own need and the supply of enough clean water every day.

In Namibia the Women’s World Day of Prayer is coordinated by Transformation Namibia, the Bible Society of Namibia and the CCN (Council of Churches in Namibia).  We are encouraging all churches, congregations and small groups across Namibia to get involved by arranging their own prayer meetings on this day. The “Women’s World Day of Prayer” supports the Bible Society of Namibia in their work to translate and distribute the Word of God to all Namibian people.  To do this offerings received on the day of prayer will go towards Bible distribution.

Through Women’s World Day of Prayer, women are encouraged:

• to be enriched by the faith experience of other Christians 
• to become aware of the situation of women in other countries
• to share their hopes fears, joys, sorrows, opportunities and needs and to pray with and for them
• to turn their prayers into positive action

As we participate in the “Women’s World Day of Prayer” we are encouraged to learn about the lives of the women (from Egypt) who prepared the service.

Then ‘informed prayer’ should lead to ‘prayerful action’. First we pray … then we get up and help.

Issues for prayer for Egypt:

• You could break into small groups for discussing issues before praying for these. 
• The suffering of women and children in a struggling economy
• The needs of widows and education for girls
• Those affected by recent political upheaval
• The rights of all to worship in their chosen way
• The end of attacks on Coptic Christians and church buildings
• The wise use of water in this desert land
• The witness of the minority Christians to the life-giving water Jesus offers

Issues for prayer for Namibia and your own area: 

• You could pray for Namibian issues and community issues. 
• The effects of droughts in parts of Namibia
• The effects of floods in parts of Namibia
• The working together of churches to present the living water of Jesus to Namibians
• The plight of women in Namibia and violence against them. 
• The fair distribution of wealth in Namibia