There was great joy and thoughtful prayers across Canada as thousands gathered in person for World Day of Prayer (WDP) 2025 services featuring the theme “I Made You Wonderful.” For many, it was a chance to not only pray and learn about Cook Islands but also provided opportunities to “come together”, experience “mutual blessings”, enjoy a “sense of community” and “comradeship”. One grade 5/6 teacher from Yorkton, SK, brought her class to a service via bus.
From Manitoba …“The whole service was lovely. The video about Cook Islands was enjoyed by all. During the sharing of the peace, many wonderful things were said and hugs were shared. Just awesome how everyone came together. Many commented on how good it was to attend a World Day of Prayer service. Hope we can keep it going.”
From Ontario … about the service video …“It was a lovely presentation. The readers from three other Denominations were wonderful. As they read, they sounded like the woman who they were reading about. I take pride and support for these beautiful Women from all around the world. They are strong and determined to make their life a better place.”
For those who used the printed service and live speakers, many coordinators told us that the country background video was very much enjoyed and appreciated. WICC is grateful to Cook Islands Tourism for allowing us to share pictures and video clips from their beautiful country.
The Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada (WICC) provided many resources on the WICC website to ensure that the service was available to all, including those not able to gather in person. A one-hour WDP service was produced by WICC with volunteer leaders, readers and musicians from across Canada and Cook Islands. Booking free time on TV Channels across Canada was possible after encouraging positive feedback in previous years. Overall, the WDP 2025 service video was broadcast on 17 community television channels and was often aired on multiple dates and times. This video service continues to be available on wdpcanada.ca and via the WICC YouTube channel.
Thanks for all your feedback. It helps us plan for next year. We carefully read each evaluation and make decisions accordingly.
WICC is committed to keeping service coordinators informed about World Day of Prayer. The WDP Field Reps played an essential part in supporting planning teams again this year. They provided help to those who were new to the coordinator role, challenged by technology, or needed ideas for promoting WDP.
Over 300 individuals attended online events in November and January to learn about WDP 2025 resources. It was encouraging to hear from the WDP evaluations that we provide a wide range of avenues to become informed and stay engaged: reading We-Connect, our e-newsletter, following the WICC Facebook page, and getting in touch with the WICC office.
Donations from World Day of Prayers services are used to fund WDP for next year and support grant projects designed to bring social justice to women and families in Canada and internationally. By distributing WDP service information online rather than in print format, the saved revenue goes towards grants. $100,000 in WDP grants have been approved for 2025. See https://wicc.org/grant-programs/grant-stories/ to read the inspirational grant stories of projects started in 2024 and completed by early 2025..
Christian women from Nigeria wrote the 2026 World Day of Prayer service – “I will give you rest: come” based on Matthew 11:28-30. Please join others on or around Friday, March 6, 2026, in this worldwide prayer movement.