What happens with the Prayer Offering? Find out in WDPUSA's Prayer Offering Grant Report. Click HERE to download the report.
World Day of Prayer: Frequently Asked Questions
- What is World Day of Prayer? Why is it called “World Day of Prayer”?
- How did World Day of Prayer begin?
- How do women around the world participate in WDP?
- How is World Day of Prayer supported?
- How are the offerings from the World Day of Prayer event used?
- Who do we make our offering out to? Where do we send the check?
World Day of Prayer is a worldwide ecumenical movement of women of many faith traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer each year on the first Friday in March. Throughout the entire day, we collectively pray all over the world, beginning with the first sunrise and ending at the last sunset. Our prayers follow the sun’s path around the globe.
WDP’s motto is “Informed prayer leads to prayerful action.” Through World Day of Prayer, women affirm that prayer and action are inseparable and that both have immeasurable influence in the world.
Since the 19th century, Christian women in the United States and Canada have initiated cooperative activities in many areas including concern for women and children, the role of prayer in mission work and women linking world peace with their involvementin mission work worldwide.
The first organized day of prayer held nationally was in Canada on January 9, 1920. In the United States, the first organized day of prayer was held nationally was on February 20, 1920.
Women around the world participate in several ways. Some women are a part of the 170-plus country committees of WDP. Each year, a different country serves as the writer of the World Day of Prayer worship service. The International Committee of WDP has representatives from every region of the world and they meet periodically to select future writer countries and WDP themes.
Hundreds of thousands of women (and men, youth and children) from around the world and in every region gather to collectively worship on the first Friday in March.
World Day of Prayer is supported by sacrificial and benevolent mission offerings given by individuals through annual services held in every country around the world. Each of the 170 countries celebrating World Day of Prayer has an organized country committee of ecumenical women representing many cultures, races and faith traditions.
The World Day of Prayer USA offerings are used to provide grants to various women and children’s programs. Each country’s committee is responsible for determining the use of the offering as it relates to the theme for each year.
Please make your offering out to World Day of Prayer USA Committee or simply WDPUSA Committee. Our mailing address is:
WDP-USA Committee
PO Box 13121
Des Moines, IA 50310