The World Weekend of Prayer campaign is a global initiative held over the first weekend of June every year, uniting hundreds of thousands of adults and children across more than 40 countries in prayer.
How does it have city influence?
The World Weekend of Prayer provides a good opportunity for networks to reach beyond their current sphere of influence and engage churches, streams & denominations across their city with this focussed event. In doing so, it promotes a focus on children and raises the profile of the work of the network. As prayer engages heart and spirit over and above the intellect, people engage in a more meaningful and lasting way.
Often, networks will theme the weekend to include messages that they are trying to raise awareness of within the city that align with the main focus of their work. The weekend therefore is an opportunity to tell more people about Viva, the network and to share messages that can help to change the situation for children.
Methodology
There is no set method for the World Weekend of Prayer so it takes on many forms.
Each year, Viva decides on a broad theme, and develops resources that can be used in events if organisers would like some inspiration. The theme and resources are updated and available at worldweekendofprayer.com each year and are voluntarily translated and distributed in over 15 languages.
The majority of Viva’s networks celebrate this weekend by organising events through a working group, an individual church or even passionate individuals. What is most exciting is that this weekend is celebrated across the world in many places where Viva is not working. Those joining are part of a worldwide movement of prayer for and with children.
Example events held in recent years include:
- Italy: an event comprising children’s prayers, songs of praise, poems, fasting, collections and a march through the town.
- Oxford, UK: Sunday evening service, with prayer stations (related to local projects, Syria/Lebanon, Gaza/Palestine and child soldiers), children’s activities in the service, showing a meditation video.
- Kansas, USA: school event for pre-school through to Grade 8 (100 children) with prayer stations, student led worship, presentation of WWP (with pictures and slides), ending with corporate prayer.
- Mwanza, Tanzania: Day of prayer with a meal, the children organised a choir, children organised drama, and group prayers.
- Guduru, India: prayers, church service and a project: a meal after the Sunday service in the orphanage in the slum area where the church is based, looking for donations to improve the church and feed more people.
- Wan Chai, Hong Kong: reflection and prayers for children, a whole congregation service, spreading the message through the Viva link.
- Harare, Zimbabwe: Children praying in homes on Saturday and then together at church on Sunday.
Find out more?
You can download latest resources and find out the dates and theme for the year at worldweekendofprayer.com
We would love to hear from you if you are interested in joining this global prayer movement or holding your own event. Please contact us on (+44) 1865 811 660 or info@viva.org
You can also receive email updates when resources are released by signing up here.
You can read a summary report of the 2020 World Weekend of Prayer events here: World Weekend of Prayer Report 2020
Previous year’s resources can be found here:
World Weekend of Prayer powerpoint
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