Elaine Marshall of St Mark's Church writes

Friday, March 7, is the Women's World Day of Prayer service.

This is when women from across the world join together to pray for its needs. Over three million women worldwide will be praying and worshipping and you can be part of this by coming to Keighley Shared Church for hymn singing at 1.40pm and service at 2pm. The speaker will be Sister Jean Stephenson and the theme is "God's wisdom provides new understanding".

This service has been prepared by Christian women of Guyana. Many women of Guyana still bear the marks of those who experienced and fought against slavery and the system of indentured labour. In recent years women in Guyana have been prime minister, president and held other important positions. In spite of this, domestic violence and human trafficking remain problems in the country.

Guyana is an Amerindian word meaning "Land of many waters", which is very appropriate for a country of exceptional beauty, with many lakes, wetlands and rivers.

Guyana gained political independence from the UK in 1966 but was still a constitutional monarchy within the British Commonwealth.

In 1970 it was granted republican status and is still within the commonwealth.

Guyana is involved in the fight against HIV/Aids with a growing concern about the increase in the proportion of women infected.

Festivals, both religions and secular, are numerous and the crafts and folklore of the Amerindians still remain. The official language is English and 52 per cent of the population are Christian, 34 per cent Hindu and 9 per cent Muslim.

With all the diversity of their background and ethnic groups, the people of Guyana are fulfilling their national motto "One people, one nation, one destiny".

Why not come and be part of the 6,000 people in the British Isles praying together - experience the unity of worldwide prayer which will start at sunrise in Tonga and finish only with sunset in neighbouring Western Samoa.