Week of Prayer and World Fellowship 2011 has begun
Building upon the prayers that have been spoken for over 100 years staff, members, friends and well-wishers of the World YWCA and World Alliance of YMCAs gathered at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva on November 14, 2011. Together they worshiped and opened the Week of Prayer and World Fellowship.
The Week of Prayer and World Fellowship is held each year in November. During this week, the two movements pray and act together on a particular theme in solidarity with members and partners around the world. The theme for this year is “Young People Speaking Out For Rights and Justice”.
The prayers for the service were dedicated to young people and the important role that they play in society. The prayers were dedicated to their daily struggles to be heard and included in their communities and homes. Romulo Dantas, Executive for Youth, World Alliance of YMCAs, opened the worship session and talked of the unique role that young people play and the life-giving energy that they bring while speaking out for rights and justice. Bible readings from Timothy 4.11-15 and Luke 4-16-21 were read by members of the YWCA and stories of transformation and hope were shared from the voice of young people.
The remainder of the week will be dedicated to prayers and reflections on how, as members and volunteers of the World Alliance of YMCAs and the YWCA, we can support young people in finding their voice. The daily reflections will follow these sub-themes:
- Our voices are a gift from God
- A voice for speaking out
- A credible voice to be nurtured
- A prophetic voice
- A voice that makes a difference
- A voice to be thankful for
Download the PDF version of the Week of Prayer booklet in English, French and Spanish
