World Day of Prayer: We are fearfully and wonderfully made!

On the World Day of Prayer, Major Lynne Shaw invites us to remember and celebrate who we are.

Today marks the annual World Day of Prayer (7 March). For 2025, the service, theme and artwork have been produced by women of the Cook Islands, an island nation two thirds the size of the Isle of Wight. However, the surrounding sea – the islands’ exclusive and bountiful economic zone – is seven times the size of New Zealand.

The women of the islands are leaders in many parts of society, and also authors, photographers and many other creative things. Tarani Napa and Tevairangi Napa, a mother and daughter duo, created the artwork (above) for this year’s World Day of Prayer, which is based on Psalm 139:14: ‘I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made’ (English Standard Version).

Tarani and Tevairangi said: ‘We are grateful for the arrival of Christianity to our shores 200 years ago. The gospel of Jesus brought hope, peace and light. In time, our cultures have interwoven with Christianity, and the blessings are evident today. As caretakers of God’s marvellous works, we always treasure these words, “I made you wonderful”.’ These words are a true celebration of these and every woman.

For some women, though, their life is not a paradise. Many cases of domestic violence go unreported, including emotional, verbal, financial and psychological abuse, as well as bullying, both within the family and the workplace.

Whenever we consider what lies in the shadows, it’s important to pay attention to the surrounding culture. Maya Angelou once said that ‘none of us can be free until we are all free’, and I believe that a foundation to changing things for the better comes from understanding that we are all ‘made wonderful’.

When we look into the eyes of another human, sit next to them on the train or in a waiting room, or stand next to them in a queue or at an event, are we not standing next to another complex being with skin, bones and a heart? And if we judge them by outward appearances, are we not in danger of missing and dismissing so much of who they are?

Creator God would have us see differently. Very young children will often interact with each other with no prejudice at all. Their hearts and minds are still open. Perhaps that was one of the things Jesus saw in the little children when he said that the Kingdom belonged to ‘such as these’ (Luke 18:16).

As I’ve seen my own children grow, I’ve become more and more aware of the raw materials they possess, such as compassion, creativity, individual thought, problem-solving, humour and passion. Each raw material has the potential to become a great asset or can be twisted into something less helpful. The same can be said for all of us.

When we look at others around us, no matter how they are different from us, our job is to see a neighbour, to look beyond circumstances or appearance and see someone whom God has made.

At the closing of a gathering on the Cook Islands, the Tongareva elders say powerful words of encouragement that translate as: ‘Hold on tight to who you are, in all aspects of your existence!’ We are all fearfully and wonderfully made. When we remember this and act upon it, we can change things for the better.

Reflect and respond

• How does remembering we are all ‘made wonderful’ change the way you view others around you?
• Have you dismissed someone before seeing who they really are and what they have to offer?
• How can you lift that person up this week?