Christians share world prayer

Published 12:00 am Saturday, March 4, 2000

In one of the largest showings ever, nearly 75 Lawrence County Christian women came to Christ United Methodist Church Friday to pray with – and for – women from around the world.

Saturday, March 04, 2000

In one of the largest showings ever, nearly 75 Lawrence County Christian women came to Christ United Methodist Church Friday to pray with – and for – women from around the world.

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And they were not alone. Christians in more than 170 countries around the world gathered in their local cities to observe the annual World Day of Prayer – a service sponsored by Church Women United, an ecumenical movement of Protestant, Roman Catholic, Orthodox and other Christian women, said Sharon Whitehead, the Lawrence County area co-president.

"All around the world, we were worshiping together," Mrs. Whitehead said. "We come together as Christians and band together to pray for those ills of the worlds."

This year’s service was written by Indonesian women and focused on the theme "Talitha Kumi, Young Woman, Stand Up."

Attendees at this March service received more than an afternoon of prayer, though. They also received an education.

Two native Indonesian women – Yohana Calvert and Indira Caudill – who now live in Ashland, Ky., attended the service and told of the plights of Indonesian women.

"You have to pay to go to school in Indonesia, unlike here in America," Mrs. Calvert said. "Indonesians have to buy different uniforms, books and pay a fee to go to school. Not every Indonesian can afford that because the economic situation is not good."

That is why many children will be on the streets selling whatever goods they may possess, Mrs. Calvert added.

"It’s so sad, but our government cannot do anything for them right now," she said. "They don’t have an education, so they cannot get a good job. That’s why they work whatever they can work in Indonesia."

Mrs. Calvert had never been to a Church Women United service before, but she was glad she was asked to attend this one.

"I think it’s great that I can introduce my country to the people in America," she said.

This was only the second world prayer service St. Joseph Catholic Church member Mary Marting had attended, but she would recommend the event to everyone.

"It was very nice," Mrs. Marting said. "I enjoyed it. It’s nice meeting people. And you feel like you’re doing something."

Events like this one do make a difference, said LaVerne Thomas, a Central Christian Church member.

"It’s worthwhile," Mrs. Thomas said. "It gives people a chance to get together and also to support underprivileged women in other countries, as well as the women in town."

Donations were given to Church Women United Friday, which will be used to help the less fortunate in the world. But women in other nations are not the only ones who will receive assistance through the organization’s efforts.

The Lawrence County branch also wanted to help the women in the area so they asked attendees to bring household items to the church, which will be distributed to the Helping Hands Haven.

The next Church Women United service will be in May, and organizers hope that still more Lawrence County women will join the devotion and help save women of the world.