World Day of Prayer 2010 celebrated women from Cameroon
The World YWCA staff attended the World Day of Prayer service at the chapel of the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, on March 5th, 2010. The World Day of Prayer, celebrated annually on the first Friday in March is a Christian worldwide movement of women and men of many traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer. Each year the World Day of Prayer focuses on a theme and a country. This year, women from Cameroon invited us to come with them in confidence "to the land of promise, land of glory" and called with the Psalmist "Let everything that breath praise God." (Psalm 150)
The celebration commenced with dance, hymns and ululating sounds, accompanied by a number of musical instruments. The women were colorfully dressed in their traditional attire and almost 100 participants in the congregation eagerly waited to hear what the day’s message from Cameroon was.
While commemorating the day of prayer and remembering all the good that God has done for all human kind, the Cameroonians chanted, "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord" which was the day's message. Not only should praise be for life and the rain, nor only song, but also for those unable to give praise; those affected by disease and natural disasters; those who need to be reminded that God lives.
Prayers included those in Haiti and Chile, physically shaken by the earthquake, so their spirituality would remain intact in these trembling times and faith testing situations. The girl child, who faces a myriad of challenges and is in most cases the most fragile in our communities was also remembered; so were peace, justice and land. Prayers were also raised for leaders, young people, families, women and the whole world. Also lifted in prayer were those for whom the day’s offerings was dedicated, the Blind Youth Centre in Dschang (The Centre des Jeunes Aveugles de Dschang), Cameroon, where 34 visually impaired children and adolescent are taken care of and taught Braille.
And as the service closed, together with a multitude of people around the world, the congregation lifted arms in praise and thanksgiving for the fellowship and for God's love which will never forsake us!
- Photo from the World Day of Prayer celebration in Geneva, Switzerland on the YWCA flickr photostream
