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A prayer and other materials for reflection are now available for use by churches and individuals, helping them focus on global health awareness and the sacredness of human existence. Despite at least 140 countries recognising health as a constitutional human right, more than half of the world's population lacks full coverage of essential health services.
On World Health Day, when the World Health Organization will also commemorate its 76th anniversary, the theme this year is “My Health, My Right,” which reminds us to advocate for equitable access to health services and work towards a healthier, more inclusive world.
Among the resources provided are questions for reflection, including: “Do our actions as followers of Christ promote the fulness of life and promote the access and rights to health among most vulnerable and give them an enabling environment to live a life of dignity?”
On 8 April, the WCC will host on online prayer, also with the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle praying for the people and churches of Romania, Hungary, and Bulgaria.
The prayers will accompany caregivers and scientists, those healing and those unable to heal, those struggling for access to healthcare and those delivering aid. “God heals the broken-hearted, and binds up their wounds,” an opening prayer reads.
Dr Cleopatra Nomonde Mqhayi-Mbambo, vice moderator of the WCC Commission of the Churches on Health and Healing, will offer a reflection during the prayer.
Communities of faith have the potential to become an oasis of healing, safety, and nurture in a world of glaring inequity and injustice, reflected Dr Manoj Kurian, director of the Commission of the Churches on Health and Healing. “With more than half of the world's population remaining underserved and lacking full coverage of essential health services, we are called to recognise the sacredness of creation and to care for the wellbeing of each person as an expression of God's philanthropic love.”
He added that the theme for this World Health Day—“My Health, My Right”—reminds us to advocate for equitable access to health services and work towards a healthier, more inclusive world.
“We must identify and name the barriers preventing people from experiencing God's love to lead abundant and healthy lives,” he said. “World Health Day is an opportunity for us to pray, act, advocate, and work to remove these barriers so all people can live dignified lives."
Download material for the World Health Day Prayer, Sunday 7 April 2024
Video interview with the moderator of the WCC Commission of the Churches on Health and Healing
WCC, WHO commemorate 50 years of collaboration (WCC feature story, 4 April 2024)
Three WCC commissions meet to confront emerging global challenges (WCC news release, 5 March 2024)
