In prayer, we are as one.
First Baptist Church welcomed guests from a variety of area churches on Friday, to observe Mount Forest’s annual World Day of Prayer ecumenical service.
The origins of World Day of Prayer date back to the 1800s, when Christian women called for a day of prayer to support each other at home and throughout the world. They had a vision of Christian unity that saw the first Day of Prayer in Canada in 1922, and the first worldwide event take place in 1927.
It is from these humble roots that World Day of Prayer has grown to include 170 countries; where all are welcome to affirm their faith, become aware of the world, and be enriched by the faith of Christians of other countries and cultures.
For 2010, the World Day of Prayer focused on Cameroon and a theme of “Let everything that has breath praise God.”
Cameroon is located in the centre of Africa, bordered by Nigeria, Chad and Congo, and is slightly larger in size than the state of California. It is home to approximately 240 ethnic groups and 240 languages, and is known as “Africa in miniature” for its forests, deserts, mountains, rivers and beaches.
“Though the earth is shaken and the mountains fall into the oceans, though the seas roar and rage and the hills are shaken by violence, O God, we know that you are near,” Rev. Gary Stopps said in his opening prayer. “You are our refuge and strength.”
In the prayer of confession, the congregation confessed that hatred, conflict, violence, abuse, corruption and greed are breaking down our communities. In prayer, they renewed their commitment to be a community of love and peace in the world.
Life in Cameroon can be harsh and difficult. Economic hardships are prevalent, as is AIDS and infection, and violence and inequality. Traditional behaviours see many Cameroon girls forced into slavery or sex trafficking even to this day.
When we praise God, we are not removed from the difficult realities of our society. Yet, there is hope for a better tomorrow. Through prayer and the teachings of Jesus, we learn that salvation is available to all.
“We consider life to be God’s greatest gift to us,” said Rev. Stopps. “As long as one has breath, there is hope.”
Guest speaker Elizabeth Kinney spoke of the power of faith and praise. She said, to know God is to know an immutable joy, and nothing in the world can take that away.
She said Christian joy is not an escape from sorrow, but the everlasting strength and encouragement we get when we begin to know the word and teachings of Jesus Christ.
“Whether we live in Ontario or Cameroon, we can experience this joy that never changes,” she said. “God knows how to wipe away our tears.”
In closing, the congregation, together with the multitude of people around the world observing World Day of Prayer, lifted up their arms in praise and thanksgiving for the fellowship and bond they share.