World Day of Prayer to be hosted by Knox Presbyterian Church, Kincardine

Knox Presbyterian Church, Kincardine, will host the annual World Day of Prayer service, Friday, March 2, at 2 p.m.

Since 1887, on or near the first Friday in March every year, millions of Christians have gathered worldwide to pray for the issues of family violence, child abuse, human trafficking, and other forms of injustice.

This year, that prayerful support will be directed at the 540,000 inhabitants of the Republic of Suriname, on the northeastern coast of South America.

Despite a history steeped in slavery and political coups, this tiny nation has achieved remarkable progress since its independence in 1975.

Suriname enjoys multi-ethnicity and biodiversity, freedom of religion, free primary and secondary education, and free medical care for children and seniors.

But behind closed doors, family violence, abuse and neglect are ongoing issues. Children are particularly vulnerable, many growing up in orphanages or one-parent families. While education is free, there is no compulsory school attendance. Child labour in the form of street-selling is common, but of far more serious concern is the fact that many children are labouring in the gold mines of Suriname.

Everyone is invited to join in prayer for the needs of Suriname and its people, at the World Day of Prayer service, Friday, March 2, at 2 p.m., at Knox Presbyterian Church, Kincardine.