Moravian WDP

Extract from an update about the World Day of Prayer throughout the Moravian World:

World Day of Prayer 2024 is over, but the urgent need for prayer and peace in Palestine and many other places continues. We invite you to take a few minutes and explore the materials so lovingly written by our Palestinian sisters over the past three years. As you do so, remember especially the Moravian work in Palestine at the Star Mountain Rehabilitation Center. This is an important work supported by all provinces in the worldwide Moravian Unity. The Unity Women’s Desk has been honored to provide scholarships for some of the women there to attend their programs.

South African sisters sent a picture and explained: This was at our Women’s World Day of Prayer service last night. The table and podium were decorated in the colours of the Palestinian flag. We had a very blessed service.

In Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Moravian sisters joined with women from many other denominations to celebrate Christian unity, worldwide peace, and especially for the people of Palestine.

Sisters also gathered in Honduras and celebrated the culture of Palestine, listened to the stories of the women there, and lifted them up in prayer.

From Albania, we received this report: “On the first of March we gathered hearts and voices, praying for peace, love and patience, as we celebrated the World Day of Prayer in our churches in Tirana, Burrel and Elbasan. Together in prayers with our Palestinian sisters who wrote the service, we had a wonderful and blessed time, and had a taste of Palestinian food. All services were blessed and as we shared the message of Bearing one another in love, we were reminded once again that despite the cultural differences, we are One in the Spirit, and we are all together in the Body of Christ.

In the UK, Maureen Colbert, the Moravian representative on the World Day of Prayer National Committee for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, shared this prayer written by Stephanie Chagas-Bijl which is one of a collection in our WDP magazine ‘Together in Prayer’:

Lord,
When war and bloodshed rage
You say, ‘bear with one another in love’.
When life is lost and tears flow endlessly
You say, ‘bear with one another in love’.
When women and children live in fear
You say, ‘bear with one another in love’.
When hatred’s taken hold of the hearts of men
You say, ‘bear with one another in love’.
When peace feels like a distant memory
You say, ‘bear with one another in love’.
When reconciliation has become a dream
You say, bear with one another in love’.
Bear, in love.
Amen

From the German Moravian Facebook page. “Most of our Moravian [Herrnhuter] congregations participated in the Day of Prayer. In worship and in lamentation, we want to bring people who are imprisoned, in war and in distress before God. We will not cease to hope for change…through the bond of peace “