Women across Lawrence County, and the world, will join together Friday in a unified prayer.

Monday, February 28, 2000

Women across Lawrence County, and the world, will join together Friday in a unified prayer. The annual World Day of Prayer, sponsored by Ironton-Lawrence County Church Women United – an ecumenical movement of Protestant, Roman Catholic, Orthodox and other Christian Women – will take place 1 p.m. Friday at the Christ United Methodist Church, located at Seventh and Wyanoke streets.

Since 1941, more than 170 countries have participated in the World Day of Prayer.

This year’s service focuses on the theme, "Talitha Kumi: Young Woman, Stand Up," based on the Gospel of Mark 5:42 – a verse that depicts the healing of a 12-year-old girl by Jesus.

The service was written by Christian women of Indonesia.

Today, many Indonesian children are experiencing lifestyles very similar to the one spoken of in the Bible. The children suffer from poverty, child labor and the exploitation of young people by multinational corporations. All of these things take away the precious life God intends.

Inspired by this text, the Indonesian women see the hand of Jesus reaching out to them, inviting them, as He did this young woman in Mark 5:42, to join in life in all its fullness.

Two Indonesian ladies – Indira Caudill and Yohana Calvert – in full native dress will be the guest speakers.

Local Church Women United co-presidents Sharon Whitehead and Wanda Spears will lead the program.

Churches participating in this event include Christ United Methodist, Coal Grove Methodist, St. Joseph Catholic, First Baptist, Quinn Chapel and Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

All Lawrence County women are invited to take part in this program.

An offering to the Helping Hands Haven will be accepted. Items needed include new-born diapers, paper towels and pictures to be used for decorating a house.

For more information contact Mrs. Whitehead at 532-2769, or Mrs. Spears at 532-6465.