CANORA – "I Will Give You Rest: Come"
This passage from Matthew 11:28-30 formed the basis of the World Day of Prayer service held at Canora’s St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church on April 17.
The service was prepared by the WDP Committee of Nigeria.
Canora organizers shared that they held the service a little later in spring than usual in hopes of avoiding any freak snowstorms but that didn’t work out too well, as was evidenced by the large accumulations of snow that greeted those who headed to the service. But in spite of the weather outside, the service was relatively well attended.
Worship leaders were Hélène Tremblay-Boyko and Linda Michaud.
Tremblay-Boyko explained that the World Day of Prayer “is a global prayer movement of Informed Prayer and Prayerful Action. Christians from around the world come together in spirit, uniting on a common day to pray for relevant issues affecting women and children. Each year, a committee of women from different countries write the service materials. May God bless each of us as we gather with others from around the world in prayer and action.
“Imagine the vibrant textiles embodying the rich tapestry of Nigerian cultures, each pattern and colour telling a story of heritage and identity,” continued Tremblay-Boyko. “They represent the resilience and creativity of Nigerian people, who weave beauty and meaning into everyday life. Like these interwoven threads, we are reminded of how our diverse stories come together in the fabric of our shared humanity and faith.
“Consider the grains of rice that symbolize the interconnected burdens of poverty and despair, highlighting the relationship between economic hardship and mental health struggles.
“Picture olive oil in a glass jar representing Nigeria's complex history with crude oil, reflecting both potential for prosperity and the weight of global exploitation. It represents the challenging balance between economic development and environmental stewardship, reminding us to pray for global equity and for innovative solutions that allow all nations to thrive sustainably.”
Stories were shared, highlighting the challenges and opportunities faced in Nigeria.
The first was the story of Beatrice, dealing with the burden of systemic oppression, shared by Naomi Kapitoler.
“My name is Beatrice. I became a widow at the age of 28 when my husband was killed in a communal clash. The day I lost him, I lost more than just my partner. I lost my place in society. Suddenly, I was alone with three young children, facing a world that seemed to have turned its back on me.
“The struggles I've faced as a widow in Nigeria are overwhelming. Poverty hit us hard. I lost our main source of income and struggled to find work as a single mother. My in-laws, who I thought would support us, instead treated me with suspicion and tried to take away the little property my husband left behind. There were days I didn't know how I'd feed my children or pay their school fees.
“But in my darkest moments, I found strength in my faith and in the community of other widows. I remember attending a support program organized by my local church. They asked for 50 widows to attend, but hundreds showed up. That day, I realized I wasn't alone in my struggles.
“One widow in our community, after losing her husband, started a program to support other widows. She encouraged people to donate clothes, rice, and money to help us. Her actions inspired me to do the same. Now, I use what little resources I have to support other widows, and together, we're stronger.
“Through it all, we remain loyal to our families and the memory of our husbands. While widowers often remarry quickly, we focus on raising our children and keeping our families together. It's not an easy path, but with faith and community, we find the strength to carry on. Our burden is heavy, but we are learning to lay it at Jesus' feet, finding rest in His promise.”
Kapitoler followed with prayer.
“God, you are the Great Burden Bearer. We come before you as your children, from all comers of the world. We lift up our voices, joining with Beatrice and all our siblings who carry the heavy loads of systemic oppression.
“God of Compassion, we know that you see us. You see the discrimination faced by so many – women, widows, minorities, the poor. Some are overworked, breaking their backs in factories, fields, and homes, while others cannot find work to feed their families. Gracious God, intervene for us all!
“Thank you, Gracious God, for the resiliency and resourcefulness of all who remain faithful amidst difficult circumstances. Inspire us by their example and move us to build a better world.
Amen.”
The second story from Nigeria was shared by Melinda Sevilla, and told of Jato, burdened by religious persecution.
“My name is Jato, and I am a Christian mother living in northern Nigeria. Every day when I send my 14-year-old daughter, Amina, to school, my heart tightens with worry. You see, Amina is the same age as Leah Sharibu when she was taken from her school in Dapchi, just a few hours from here.
“Leah's story haunts me. A young girl, steadfast in her faith, refusing to deny Christ even in the face of captivity. It's been eight years since Boko Haram took her, and still, she remains their prisoner. Every time I look at Amina, I can't help but think, ‘What if it had been her?’
“Living under the shadow of religious persecution is not easy. There are areas where Christians are killed simply for their faith. But by God's grace, we continue to live alongside our Muslim neighbours. It's not the same everywhere – in Yorubaland in the southwest, Christians and Muslims live together like family. And I know that in some parts of the world, Christians are the ones persecuting other religious groups because of their faith.
“I often wonder, what does my faith call me to do in the face of religious persecution? Jesus teaches us to love our enemies, to pray for those who persecute us. It's not easy, believe me. Some days, when I hear of another attack, another kidnapping, I feel anger rising in my heart. But then I remember – being a Christian means being Christ-like. These conflicts didn't start yesterday. Even in Jesus' time, there were clashes among different groups.
“But Jesus showed us a different way. He calls us to show love, even to those who seem to have no regard for life. At first, this seems like a heavy yoke to bear, but Jesus promises that His yoke is easy, and His burden is light.
“When I pray with Amina each morning before she goes to school, I remind her of Jesus' words: ‘In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.’
“Our strength doesn't come from an expectation of an easy life. Instead, it's rooted in the knowledge that Christ walks with us through every hardship. In the face of persecution, we don't simply await rescue; we actively live out our faith, knowing that each act of love and forgiveness is a testament to Christ's enduring power in our lives.
“As I watch Amina leave for school each day, I pray not only for her safety but also for her heart. I pray that she will have the strength to stand firm in her faith. But I also pray that she will have the love to see the image of God in everyone she meets, regardless of their faith.
“This is how we find rest in God – not by harbouring hatred or intolerance, but by letting Christ's love flow through us, even in the face of persecution. It's a daily choice, a daily surrender. But in making this choice, we find that our burdens truly do become light, and in God, we find our rest.”
The story was followed with prayer.
“God of the persecuted and protector of the faithful, we come before you with heavy hearts from the fears of mothers like Jato who send their children to school each day under the shadow of potential violence.
“Lord Jesus, you faced persecution and stood firm in your faith. We lift up all who suffer for their beliefs. Grant them strength and comfort in their darkest hours, inspiring us to stand strong in the face of adversity.
“Holy Spirit, we cry out for those displaced by violence, forced to flee their homes and become refugees in unfamiliar lands. Shelter all who are displaced under your wings, providing for their needs and guiding them toward safety and new beginnings. Amen.”
Patricia Kachman followed by sharing her African experience, having worked there for several years in the late 1980s as a nurse.
“I worked with local women on health care, things like washing hands with soap to get rid of germs. And since most babies are delivered at home where razor blades are used to cut the umbilical cord, women were encouraged to use a clean blade to prevent disease.”
Those in attendance were reminded that, in 2027, World Day of Prayer will be celebrating its centennial.
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