The World Day of Prayer
Posted: 02 Mar 2018 14:43
The World Day of Prayer is an international ecumenical Christian laywomen's initiative. It is run under the motto
"Informed Prayer and Prayful Action." and is celebrated annually in over 170 countries on the first Friday in March.
The movement aims to bring together women of various races, cultures and traditions in a yearly common Day of
Prayer, as well as in closer fellowship, understanding and action throughout the year.
The Women's World Day of Prayer started in the USA in 1887, as Mary Ellen Fairchild James, wife of Darwin Rush
James from Brooklyn, New York, called a day of prayer for home mission, and Methodist women called for a week
of prayer and self-denial for foreign missions. Two years later, two Baptists called together a Day of Prayer for the
World Mission. The Day of Prayer initiated by these two women expanded to Canada, then the Beitish Isles in the
1930s. The movement focus on ecumenism and reconciliation led to growth after World War II, Since 1927 the
March day is know as Women's World Day of prayer. Catholic women were allowed to join the movement after the
Second Vatican Council, beginning in 1967, and united what had been their May Day of prayer with the March
Women's World Day of Prayer in 1968.
"Informed Prayer and Prayful Action." and is celebrated annually in over 170 countries on the first Friday in March.
The movement aims to bring together women of various races, cultures and traditions in a yearly common Day of
Prayer, as well as in closer fellowship, understanding and action throughout the year.
The Women's World Day of Prayer started in the USA in 1887, as Mary Ellen Fairchild James, wife of Darwin Rush
James from Brooklyn, New York, called a day of prayer for home mission, and Methodist women called for a week
of prayer and self-denial for foreign missions. Two years later, two Baptists called together a Day of Prayer for the
World Mission. The Day of Prayer initiated by these two women expanded to Canada, then the Beitish Isles in the
1930s. The movement focus on ecumenism and reconciliation led to growth after World War II, Since 1927 the
March day is know as Women's World Day of prayer. Catholic women were allowed to join the movement after the
Second Vatican Council, beginning in 1967, and united what had been their May Day of prayer with the March
Women's World Day of Prayer in 1968.
