Formerly called the Women's World Day of Prayer but now the World Day of Prayer drew millions together across 170 countries for a message of healing and comfort. The 2020 theme was “Rise! Take Your Mat and Walk,” based on Christian Scripture Reading from the Gospel of John 5:2-9a. The reflections and ways to conduct prayer services and other events had been prepared by the World Day of Prayer Committee in Zimbabwe. Each year, materials are developed ecumenically and collectively within a certain country in coordination with the World Day of Prayer International Committee. This year service booklet read: “The peoples from the land of Zimbabwe welcome all. Zimbabwe means house of stones. We greet all in the language of the Shona people—Kwaziwai! (kwuz-WHY), and in language of the Ndebele people—Salibonani! (sah-li-bo-NA-nee).”
In a tradition that has continued since 1927, among many celebrations taking places around the world is one hosted by Luton Christians too. This year it was held at St Mary’s Church in which Luton Zimbabwean women expressed friendship and respect for others in a Zimbabwean traditional and cultural way. As makers of human fraternity, all who had gathered prayed for the world peace and our environment. People also reflected on all that hinder our transformation and what does “Rise! Take Your Mat and Walk,” mean for us in our own respective living and working contexts. All were invited to write down commitments to support our communities with actions of love, peace and reconciliation.