World Day of Prayer

The World Day of Prayer takes place every year on the first Friday in March. Women in the United States and Canada first formed this event after the devastation of World War I, when they were convinced that world peace was tied to world mission. Each year, Christian women from all over the world join together to plan and organize events, and suggest a theme and focus. This year the theme was set by the women of England, Wales and Northern Ireland:

I Know the Plans I Have For You

Jeremiah 29:1-14

Agenda today:

1. Read Jeremiah 29:1-14

2. Read "Becoming Rooted"

3. Prayer for Peace

4. Prayerful Action

5. Plant a sabzeh

1. Read Jeremiah 29:1-14:

 ‘For I know the plans I have for you’, declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ (Jeremiah 29:11)

This book of the Bible is the letter that the prophet Jeremiah wrote to the exiles in Babylonia, who were suffering uncertainty, and had opposing views on how to respond to the moment. The committee suggests we use the text to reflect on some of the issues facing us today: poverty, domestic abuse and disability, finding hope in difficult situations and encouragement in the help we can give to each other.

The overarching theme is HOPE – very appropriate for this time when the world is coming to terms with the ongoing risks of a pandemic, the looming climate crisis, and war in Ukraine.

2. Read "Becoming Rooted": 

Today I read #8: The Harmony Way, about the basic worldview of all Native American tribal groups. “According to a set of values that are interconnected, the way of harmony and balance encompasses both being and doing and is applied to all life. The harmony way is a meaningful whole. ... The wisdom of Indigenous traditions and stories emphasizes the importance of restoring the relationships that exist among Creator, humans, animals, and the earth.” 

3. Prayer for Peace:

God of the past, the present and the future,

Our thoughts and prayers are with our sisters and brothers in the Ukraine and the surrounding countries in their fear and distress

We pray too for all other regions of the world where there is conflict, unrest or oppression.

We pray that
reconciliation will overcome hatred,
peace will conquer war,
hope will replace despair
and that your plans for the world and for us its people will be fulfilled,

God, in your mercy

Hear our prayer. 

4. Prayerful Action: 

I love the motto of the World Day of Prayer: "Informed Prayer and Prayerful Action." What I understand from this year's theme is that each of us has a God-given purpose, and we can consider how we are called to transform the injustices in the world, and commit to doing the bit we are called to do.

Today I will join my Quaker meeting's ongoing zoom Meeting for Healing and World Peace, and listen for what I'm called to do next.

5. Plant a sabzeh:

This year the suggested service for World Day of Prayer includes handing out seeds to attenders, as a symbol of hope. Coincidentally, this is the day each year that I plant the sabzeh, in preparation for Nowruz, the Persian New Year, which begins every year on the Spring Equinox. The sabzeh is a bowl of sprouted grains, a symbol of new life. Since it takes two weeks to get good looking sprouts, we usually start them about now.

Supplies: A shallow bowl, damp soil, grain seeds (lentils and wheat are traditional; we planted hull-less rye grain).

Fill the bowl with damp soil, cover the surface well with seeds, and spray daily with water.