In the afternoon of Mar 4 at 2 p.m., hundreds of Christians representing different denominations and ministries gathered at the Taipei Methodist Church to participate in the yearly World Day of Prayer joint service. The World Day of Prayer was founded in 1887 by a woman of faith. Ever since then, representatives in each regions of the world would gather believers from different denominations to pray together in the Lord.
The worship service is opened with the welcoming address by World Vision and the Methodist Church President.
This year’s World’s Prayer Day is prepared by Polish sisters. In Polish traditions, bread and salt symbolize friendship. This is one of the reasons why they serve guests with bread and salt. Bread symbolizes the daily food that we eat, and salt is used as a preservative to prevent food from rotting, to add flavor to food. And, in a spiritual sense, it means to cleanse and to redeem our sins.
During this conference, the scriptures selected come from Matthew 5, “To be the light of the world and the salt of the world.” The World’s Prayer Day have a fruitful turnout, several ministry representatives gave prayers of gratitude and repentance; Taipei Methodist kindergarten and YWCA Taipei religious department had women and children presenting poems and singing praise songs; and there was the reading of scriptures, preaching and candle lighting ceremonies. Last of all, it ended with offering, picture-taking, and tea breaks.
This year’s holiday, Pastor Lee from Grace Baptist church spoke on the topic of, “Let Us Shine.” He shared that while Jesus was still alive, Jesus was the light; he came into this world to illuminate this world of darkness; and Jesus personally taught his disciples to become the light.
“From the life of Jesus, we can see the right from wrong, white from black, truth from lies. He demands that his disciples to also come out from this darkness, to let other people see their faith. Jesus knows that he only has three years, so he gave the flaming torch to his disciples, and taught them that when people light a lamp they don’t put it underneath a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. We shouldn’t only be Sunday Christians. If the light is placed underneath the floor, then it loses its purpose of existence.” Pastor Lee said.
Lastly, he encouraged every brothers and sisters to live a life revealing glory to the Lord Jesus and to change this world. "The influence that one person gives can be very small, but if it is a group of people, then the influence will be very strong and powerful. The problem is whether or not we are willing to ignite ourselves. Today, all of you who gathered here, let’s tell the Lord that I’m willing to offer my life so that the light can be shown. Let us shine brightly.”
This year, approximately 20 sponsoring ministry attended the World’s Prayer Day: World Vision, Anglican Communion, Good News Broadcasting station, Baptist Assembly, Home of Christ, Garden of Hope Foundation, The Evangelical of Lutheran Church, Catholic School.
