Representatives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Adelaide took part with other Christian women in World Day of Prayer, as services were held around the globe on Friday 3rd March.
Church member Benedicta Sorrell accepted the invitation to be one of the readers at the prayer service held at Adelaide’s St Aidan’s Anglican Church.
Benedicta Sorrell at St Aidan’s pulpit for the World Day of Prayer service
It was a moving experience for Benedicta who was born in the Philippines, the country whose people were the focus of this year’s unified prayers. “It was especially meaningful for me as the outpouring of faith and prayer was for a country and a people that are close to my heart. I was really touched by people’s kindness to do this, and it was a privilege to be a part of the worldwide event.”
World Day of Prayer is held on the first Friday of March and dates back to 1922. It was created by women of faith as a call for compassion, understanding and action regarding specific issues facing women, children and individuals in various countries around the world.
It was an uplifting experience for another LDS participant, Caroline McIlwaine who also undertook a reading. “This year’s programme was written by women in the Philippines and as we read our parts, it was their voices, their concerns, their hopes for their people that were heard.
“It was more than worship with words; it was about increasing understanding and unity and recognising that faith is a principle of action. That we can all do something to ease the burdens of others.”
The 2017 theme was linked to the New Testament parable of the workers in the vineyard (Matthew 20: 1-16).
Story and photos courtesy of LDS Adelaide News.