A World Day of Prayer service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 4 at Knox Presbyterian Church in Weyburn.

This year's service is written by the women of Poland. It reflects on the theme, Let Our Light Shine. The women of Poland greet all those participating in the service by saying, Szczesc Boze, which means May God Bless You.

The organizing group in Weyburn has representation from Knox Presbyterian, Grace United, Calvary Baptist, the Anglican Church, Zion Lutheran, St. Vincent de Paul Roman Catholic, the Free Methodist and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Poland has a population of 83 million people and tries to balance the influences of the west and the east. Information released about the country for the World Day of Prayer say that since 1989, when the people overthrew the communist regime and became a democracy, the country has been transformed from a centrally-run economy to a free-market one. Most economic advantages benefit the cities, while many people who live and work on small farms in rural areas remain poor. Women are especially affected by a high unemployment rate, and are increasingly at risk from traffickers.

Participants in the day will learn more about Poland and its unique culture and heritage as well as join other Christians in more than 170 countries and 2,000 communities in Canada who will gather to pray and take action in solidarity with the Polish people.

The World Day of Prayer has its roots in an ecumenical day of prayer organized by women in Canada and the U.S. in 1920. The event became the international World Day of Prayer in 1922 and Christians around the world began celebrating the event on the first Friday of March.