World Day of Prayer International Committee (WDPIC) Email Formats

About World Day of Prayer International Committee (WDPIC)

The World Day of Prayer (WDP) traces its roots to the early 19th century when Christian women in North America organized united prayer for missions. By 1920, women from multiple denominations established the first Friday of Lent as a joint day of prayer that quickly spread across the U.S. and Canada. In 1926, North American women shared their worship service globally, leading to the first World Day of Prayer in 1927. The emphasis from the beginning was praying with, not merely for, women worldwide. In 1930, Helen Kim of Korea became the first woman outside North America to write the worship service, establishing the international tradition. The movement survived and flourished through World War II, with some women meeting secretly in occupied territories and internment camps. In 1968, the World Day of Prayer International Committee (WDPIC) was founded at a meeting in Sweden with representatives from 23 countries, creating the first truly global structure with rotating leadership from all continents. Today, WDP unites over a million women, men, and children in over 135 countries on the first Friday of March. Each year, women from a different country prepare the worship service and theme, ensuring diverse global voices lead this movement. The organization operates through National Committees in each country, who translate the materials into around 100 languages every year. From its North American Protestant roots, the WDP movement has grown to include Orthodox, Catholic, and other Christian traditions. The movement embodies the motto "Informed Prayer, Prayerful Action" - combining worship with education about global issues and local service projects. Recent services have addressed climate change, migration, human trafficking, and women's rights. As the WDP approaches its Centennial in 2027, it remains the largest ecumenical women's movement worldwide, demonstrating that prayer transcends all boundaries while inspiring concrete action for justice and peace.

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