Mennonite Central Committee

World Day of Prayer, and International Women's Day

Did you know that Friday March 3, 2005 was World Day of Prayer? World day of prayer is a movement of Christian women in over 170 countries and regions world wide who come together in prayer each year on the first Friday in March to affirm their faith in Jesus Christ and to share their hopes and fears, their joys and sorrows, their opportunities and needs. This year's theme comes from Poland: "Let our shine". Through World Day of Prayer, women affirm that prayer and action are inseparable and that both have immeasurable influence in the world.

March 8, 2005 was International Women's Day. It was established in 1977 by the United Nations, to provide opportunity to reflect on the progress that has been made towards the equality of women, to assess the challenges faced by women in today's society, and to look to the future of enhancing women's status.

Although gains have been made in women's status around the world, fear and danger still exists for women in their homes. According to a press release from UNIFEM for International Women's Day, over 45 countries have laws against domestic violence and another 20 are presently working on drafting new legislation or amending existing criminal assault laws to include domestic violence. And yet violence against women continues. In only the past few weeks reported in the news were stories of a man murdered his mother and sister in their home, a suicidal father who threw his daughter off a bridge onto the freeway below before jumping himself and killing himself, and another man who killed the women in his household. Then there are the stories of the man who murdered and dismembered his wife and unborn child, of a man who tried to hire someone to kill his wife, and of women and children being sold into slavery or raped in their own homes. When and how will it all STOP! Together let us work and pray for an end to this violence.

In February of 2005, PASCH (Peace and Safety in the Christian Home) hosted a conference in California called "Beyond Abuse - Creating Peace and Safety in the Christian Home". PASCH believes that Christians have failed to address the issue of domestic violence even though the percentage of Christians who abuse their families equals the level of abuse in the general population. (Kroeger, Nason-Clark, No Place for Abuse, 2001). PASCH feels that it is important to speak out with one voice to end violence in the Christian home. They hope to accomplish this through prayer, collaboration between academics, clergy, professionals, and lay people, and through the use of resources, education, and training.

MCC Canada and MCC U.S. Women's Concerns Programs have made available a new packet of information and resources to help us all better recognize and understand the problem of pornography. Pornography - The Secret Sin is available from MCC. It contains information on pornography, stories and reflections, prevention ideas, and suggestions for recovery.

 

Prayer:

Adapted from Fire in the Rose

Reader 1

Loving Creator, we come before you with special concern for all who suffer from violence. For children who are harmed and humiliated by others. We pray for healing and intervention.

Reader 2

For women who are not safe in their own homes. We pray for healing and courage.

Reader 3

For all people who are treated as commodities by others. We pray for healing and empowerment.

Reader 4

For all people who suffer the violence of poverty. We pray for healing and positive change.

Reader 5

For women and men, adults and children who suffer rape, molestation or assault. We pray for healing and justice.

Reader 6

For all people who suffer conflict. We pray for healing and reconciliation.

Reader 7

For those who suffer from discrimination and hostility by others. We pray for healing and wholeness.

Reader 8

For all people everywhere who are oppressed and harmed by the sin of violence. We pray for healing, intervention, courage, empowerment, hope, positive change, justice, reconciliation, and wholeness. May all for whom we pray experience your compassion and love. May we all know that you never forget us. Amen.

 

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