Last Friday, was the 2021 World Day of Prayer (WDP), whose theme was Build on a Strong Foundation.
CCC&TSPM released on its website the procedures for the joint worship service held that day, saying "In view of the need to normalize the prevention and control of COVID-19, each church is reminded to follow and utilize the procedures according to their various situations."
The content of this year's WPD was compiled by Christian women from the Republic of Vanuatu, an island nation in the South Pacific, with their distinct local characteristics and needs.
On the basis of this content, CCC&TSPM (China Christian Council & Three-self Patriotic Movement) added the concerns, prayers, and beautiful testimonies of female Chinese Christians based on the situation of China.
Three stories of Christian women were shared. Rev. Zhang Ling in Urumqi, Xinjiang, mobilized relatives and friends to donate nearly 70,000 for the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic; Sister Fan Xiaojie of the Suifenhe Gospel Church in Heilongjiang sent milk tea to the pandemic prevention staff in her community; Pastor Liu Jieni from the Nanshengli Subdistrict Church in Baicheng City, Jilin, applied to become an anti-pandemic volunteer.
CCC&TSPM expressed their hope that through the WDP, Chinese Christian women would build their faith on a strong foundation to share the gospel of Jesus Christ in their respective situations.
Last year Chinese Christians had to pray at home to observe the annual day amidst the coronavirus crisis as registered churches in China were closed down since late January.
The "Women's World Day of Prayer" initiative first started from a prayer service jointly organized by Christian women from Canada and the USA with the aim to care for women and children. Founded in 1964, the World Day of Prayer International Committee sets the first Friday of March as the World Day of Prayer.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
