Home
What is World Day of Prayer ?
Beginnings
On the Journey Together (Kenya, 1991)
1887
Lay women in the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A. were concerned for the plight of immigrants and the aftermath of slavery in their country and sent out a call for a national day of prayer. Women of other denominations soon joined the annual Day of Prayer for Home Missions.
1890
A Day of Prayer for Foreign Missions grew out of the experience of Baptist women. The two days of prayer were joined in a day of prayer focussing on both global and national concerns.
1920
A National Committee was formed and a call issued to church women to come together on the first Friday of Lent for an annual day of prayer using common resources. Offerings were sent for mission in the U.S.A. and overseas.
1941
The coordination of World Day of Prayer, which was already the common experience of many Christian women around the world, became the responsibility of a new interdenominational movement within the U.S.A. - Church Women United.
1969
The World Union of Catholic Women's Organizations decided to forgo their worldwide Day of Prayer to take part in the World Day of Prayer.
1982
The symbol for the World Day of Prayer was developed by the women of Ireland and adopted as the international logo. Its design is made up of arrows converging from the four points of the compass, persons kneeling in prayer, the Celtic cross, and the circle, representing the world and our unity through all our diversity.
