The World Day of Prayer origins date back to the 19th century, when Christian women of the United States and Canada initiated a variety of cooperative activities in support of women's involvement in mission at home and in other parts of the world.
Women were encouraged to engage in personal prayer and take leadership in communal prayer within their mission auxiliaries and associations. That emphasis on prayer led to annual days and weeks of prayer. In 1887, Presbyterian women called for a day of prayer for home missions and Methodist women called for a week of prayer and self-denial for foreign missions. A Baptist day of prayer for foreign missions began in 1891.
Methodist women joined the day of prayer for home missions between 1892 and 1894. By 1897 the women of six denominations formed a joint committee for a united day of prayer for home missions. On a rotation system, women of the participating denominations wrote the common worship service. In 1912 the Woman's Board of Foreign Missions called for a united day of prayer for foreign missions.
By the beginning of 1927, the call to prayer that was issued was for a World Day of Prayer for Missions. In 1928, the title of the day was shortened to The World Day of Prayer.
From 1927 to now, women gather to pray with women from a different country. A theme developed by the WDP committee inspires informed prayer and prayerful action.
With this in mind, the WDP New Providence Committee invites Bahamians to attend their worship services scheduled for Friday, March 3 at 7 p.m. at Rhodes Memorial Methodist Church, Montrose Avenue.
On Thursday, March 2, as the dawn breaks over the islands of Samoa and Tonga in the Pacific, Bahamians are asked to join in prayer with the WDP Committee of the Philippines as they host this year's official WDP ceremony under the theme, "Am I Being Unfair to You?" on Thursday March 2 at 7 a.m. at the Salvation Army Citadel, Mackey Street.
Last year's WDP was hosted by Cuba. It was described as a lovely experience because it allowed Cuban Christian women to unite to work on the program, which they believe was a blessing for them and women around the world.
The Bahamas hosted WDP in 2015 under the theme, "Do You Know What I Have Done to You?"
Worshippers are encouraged to dress in tropical clothing with men asked to don casual shirts in honor of the Philippines hosting of the WDP of Prayer.
Suriname is tapped to host WDP in 2018; its theme is "All God's Creations Is Very Good". Slovenia will host in 2019 under the theme, "Come -- Everything Is Ready". Zimbabwe will host 2020; its theme is "Rise! Take Your Mat And Walk". Vanuatu will host 2021; its theme is "Build On A Strong Foundation."

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