DAY OF PRAYER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 February 1939, Page 8

DAY OF PRAYER

GATHERING IN PARISH HALL. More than forty years ago, the suggestion was made that an international day of prayer should be observed. This was taken up by women in various countries, resulting in a World Day of Prayer being observed in 1927. The first Friday in Lent was selected as the day and now women of more than fifty countries observe the day together. The women of New Zealand begin the day, and the ■ last country where a gathering is held is St. Lawrence Island, off Alaska, where Eskimo women meet, forming the last link in a chain of prayer which girdles the earth. Thelocal gathering was held yesterday in the Parish Hall during the afternoon. The opening session was conducted by a representative of the Presbyterian Church, this was followed by Anglican, Salvation Army, and Methodist ‘leaders respectively. Each period was for half an hour, and the theme running through all was “Let us put our love into deeds, and make it The lovely weather, good attendance. and very fine spirit animating all, resulted in a record gathering. Fully sixty women were present at one or other of the half-hourly periods. Praise was hearty, prayers were fervent and the brief addresses contributed much to the success of the whole gathering. A plate was placed at the door for thanks offerings and £3 10s was realised. This amount is being forwarded to the needy women and children in China. .