‘I Know the Plans I Have For You’ Jeremiah 29:1-14
2022 is a special year for the World Day of Prayer in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (EWNI). These ‘home nations’ have prepared the World Day of Prayer service, which takes place on Friday 4 March.
The program is based on the letter that the prophet Jeremiah wrote to the exiles in Babylonia. The exiles were in a context of suffering, uncertainty, and opposing views on how to respond to the moment. In the midst of all the uncertainties we are living under due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the WDP 2022 theme is a balm of confidence. It is an invitation to place our trust in God in times of suffering.
World Day of Prayer is an international ecumenical organisation which enables women all over the world to share the ideas and concerns of the writing country. The EWNI WDP National Committee includes 18 different Christian denominations.
“It has been both challenging and rewarding to write about the three countries that make up our area: our landscape, people and culture all shaped by our history. We celebrate our diversity and the contribution made to our countries by the many groups and individuals who have made their home here. We use our Bible text “I know the plans I have for you” from Jeremiah to reflect on some of the issues facing us today: poverty, domestic abuse and disability, finding hope in difficult situations and encouragement in the help we can give to each other.” EWNI National Committee
Through the service worshippers will hear the stories of women who feel excluded, listen to the fear of a child refugee and learn to see the context of a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, and multi-faith society in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
The WDP 2022 artwork
The artwork, created by Angie Fox using a combination of embroidery, appliqué and metalwork, depicts key words such as, Freedom, represented as an open door to a pathway across an endless open vista; Justice, represented by broken chains; God’s Peace and Forgiveness, represented by the dove of peace and a peace lily breaking through the pavement.
Over all, a rainbow which has come to represent all these things from the story of Noah through to the modern day. It is a symbol of the overreaching love of God.
Here’s a video of the artist, Angie Fox, introducing her design