|TOP|Christians around the world have already begun celebrating the World Day of Prayer today, a tradition initiated and carried out by women for over 50 years.

Following the sun's path around the globe, the ecumenical prayer movement is expected to draw the prayers of Christians in more than 170 countries and regions in a cross-cultural and pan-denominational experience. The annual celebratory day is this year centered on the theme "Signs of the Times" with South African women bringing attention to the HIV/AIDS crisis.

With much of the infected and orphaned population in South Africa, Christian women are inviting believers worldwide to become better informed about the growing pandemic in the country and its need. Each day, an estimated 600 South Africans die of AIDS. As the health crisis continues to grow, prayerful action is being called for to help prevent more people from dying.

Scheduled to speak at the WDP service, sponsored by Church Women United, are Norman and Janet Barth who have lived in South Africa and Lesotho. Norman Barth has served as the executive director of Lutheran World Relief while Janet has been a part of the WDP service in Germany and Brazil.

|AD|Each year, the international prayer movement spreads awareness about the situation of women in other countries and of other cultures and how they understand biblical passages in their context. A selected WDP Committee shares concerns and needs for all Christians to pray for and feel in solidarity with the affected.

The origins of World Day of Prayer date back to the 19th century when Christian women initiated a variety of cooperative activities in support of women's involvement in mission at home and in other parts of the world. It eventually became a global call and ecumenical effort for men and women.

Church Women United, founded in 1941, is an ecumenical movement reaching 25 million Protestant, Roman Catholic, Orthodox and other Christian women. As followers of Jesus Christ, more than 1,200 local and state units work for peace and justice. An offering is taken to enable the ongoing work of WDP International committee for WDP.

Next year, the World Day of Prayer will be headed by the national committee in Paraguay around the theme "United Under God's Tent."







Audrey Barrick
Christian Today Correspondent