The World Alliance of YMCA is currently holding its annual "Week of Prayer and Fellowship", under the theme "Leading Change". Taking place from 14th to 20th November, the Young Men Christian Association and the Young Women Christian Association chapters have put aside time to pray for global economic, political and social issues.
The two organisations have together created and published "The Week of Prayer", which outlines a five-day Bible Reading Plan and forms the message of the service to take place on the sixth day, which is "Love Your Enemies".
The President of the World Alliance of YMCA’s, Caesar K.L. Molebatsi said, "There are so many issues which our concepts of 'enemy' are continually legitimised."
The Rwandan genocide and the continuing fight against terrorism were given as a severe example by Molebatsi in the message.
The worldwide fellowship was asked to spend the week to reflect on the gospel message: "The question before us, is not whether we have enemies or not, but rather can we love our enemies?"
The 2nd Sunday of November is the annual commencement date for the World Alliance of YMCA’s and the World YWCA's 'Week of Prayer', which was first held in 1875 at the 7th YMCA World Conference in Hamburg, Germany.
The World Alliance of YMCA suggested that "the objective is to raise awareness on a particular global economic, political or social issue that marks the year and to create a momentum in the two global grassroots movements for extended campaigns and programmes on such issue."
The Bible Reading Plan for 2004-2005 has been laid out as follows:
Day 1 - Leading Challenge: Challenging Tradition
Day 2 - Leading Challenge: The courage to trust God for justice
Day 3 - Leading Challenge: The reality of backlash; The Promised Land (Joshua 17:1-6)
Day 4 - Leading Challenge: Two steps forward, one step back; The Injustice of Invisibility (Numbers 36)
Day 5 - Leading Challenge: Living with Dilemma for the sake of peace
Worship Service - Leading Change, Love Your Enemies: The Power to Act
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