Churches across southern China held early observances of the World Day of Prayer this week ahead of the official date on March 7.
Led by Christian women from different denominations in more than 200 countries, the World Day of Prayer is a global movement observed on the first Friday of March. It features a worship service dedicated to prayer and sharing, with a focus on caring for women and children.
In the announcement from CCC&TSPM, the theme for the 2025 World Day of Prayer (WDP) activities in China is "Harmonious and Bountiful, Peaceful and Prosperous."
Drawing from biblical passages including 1 Kings 17:11, Matthew 5:16, Isaiah 2:4, 1 Samuel 25:6, and Proverbs 31:17, 20, 31, this year's prayer themes encompass church unity in honoring God and serving others, peace and prosperity for the nation, global harmony, and the active role of Christian women in the flourishing of the Chinese church.
This marks the fourth year that China's TSPM churches have observed this global ecumenical movement with their own materials. Meanwhile, according to the official WDP website, the 2025 WDP program is written by the WDP Committee of the Cook Islands under the theme "I Made You Wonderful," based on Psalm 139:1-18.
On March 3, Putian Municipal CC&TSPM in Fujian Province hosted a joint "World Day of Prayer and International Women's Day" event, bringing together nearly 110 female pastors and church co-workers across the city.
During the gathering, Rev. Zhang Jinmu, president of the municipal CC&TSPM, outlined three guiding principles for the attendees: integrating faith into daily life with smiles, fostering social harmony through small acts of kindness, and cultivating a fulfilling life through prayer and devotion.
The event featured several pastors leading the attendees to offer prayers of adoration, confession, and intercession.
In the afternoon, participants engaged in group discussions centered on four key topics: the inheritance of faith, husband-wife relationships, relationships between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, and perspectives on marriage and love.
On March 5, the female believers of Suizhou Church, Hubei Province, infused the World Day of Prayer with new meaning by hosting an environmental enzyme training session.
Guided by professional instructors, the participants chopped and measured discarded fruit peels and vegetable leaves, mixing them with brown sugar and water in precise proportions before storing the mixture in buckets. Over the next three months, these repurposed "wastes" will transform into natural cleaning agents.
Among the attendees, Aunt Li, a woman in her seventies, carefully noted the ingredient ratios. She intended to teach this enzyme-making technique to elderly individuals living alone in the community, explaining that it would not only reduce waste but also help them save money. Participants also discussed ways to promote enzyme use, with some suggesting the establishment of a sharing corner in the church and others proposing parent-child environmental education classes.
Then a pastor prayed, "When we treat all things as God's stewards, it becomes the most sincere worship to the Creator." The church also plans to continue its environmental initiatives with activities such as "upcycling old items" and "water-saving campaigns" in the future.
On the same day, Sanxiang Church in Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province, held a gathering on March 5 where Christian women prayed for society, the world, the nation, and its people. Concluding the event, the church distributed spiritual bookmarks to the 45 attendees.
Meanwhile, according to Chancheng District's TSPM in Foshan City, Guangdong Province, a World Day of Prayer event took place at Shengping Church on March 6.
During the gathering, Rev. Yu Qing referenced Matthew 5:13-16, emphasizing that Christians should serve as the light and salt of the world, fulfilling their responsibilities toward societal progress, national development, church revival, and family well-being. He led the congregation in prayers for church unity, God's glory, societal welfare, national prosperity, and global peace. He also encouraged the attending Christian women to contribute actively to the growth and development of the Christian community in China.
Many other churches are expected to observe the World Day of Prayer today.
