World Alliance of YMCA Observes Annual 'Week of Prayer'
Since 1875, the Alliance has observed the 'Week of Prayer' to raise awareness on a particular global economic, political or social issue that marks the year and push for changes on the issue.
The World Alliance of YMCA began its annual “Week of Prayer and Fellowship” on Sunday with the theme, “Leading Change.”
From Nov. 14-20, the Young Men Christian Association and the Young Women Christian Association chapters have the opportunity to pray for global economic, political or social issues which have characterized this year.
The two organizations have jointly published “The Week of Prayer,” which outlines a five-day Bible Reading Plan for local chapters and forms the message of the service on the sixth day which is“Love Your Enemies.”
“There are many issues upon which our concepts of 'enemy' are continually legitimized,” said President World Alliance of YMCAs Caesar K.L. Molebatsi and President World YWCA Mónica Zetzsche in the President’s message of the 2004 publication.
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In the message, Molebatsi and Zetzsche pointed to the Rwandan genocide and also to the fight against terrorists and terrorism.
“The question before us, is not whether we have enemies or not, but rather can we love our enemies?” they asked and encouraged all the chapters to spend the week reflecting on the Gospel message.
The Week of Prayer is observed every year by the World Alliance of YMCAs and the World YWCA, beginning the second Sunday of November. It began in 1875 at the 7th YMCA World Conference in Hamburg, Germany.
According to the World Alliance of YMCA, “the objective is to raise awareness on a particular global economic, political or social issue that marks the year and to create a momentum in the two global grassroots movements for extended campaigns and programmes on such issue.”
Bible Reading Plan 2004-2005
Day 1 - Leading Change: Challenging Tradition
Day 2 - Leading Change: The courage to trust God for justice
Day 3 - Leading Change: The reality of backlash; The Promised Land (Joshua 17:1-6)
Day 4 - Leading Change: Two steps forward, one step back; The Injustice of Invisibility (Numbers 36)
Day 5 - Leading Change: Living with dilemma for the sake of peace
Worship Service - Leading Change, Love your Enemies: The Power to Act
