Trinity United Church is inviting the community to attend a World Day of Prayer service at the church starting at 1:30 p.m. on March 7.

The service will feature guest speaker Anna Arnold, chair of the Muskoka Presbyterian United Church Women Advisory Board. Refreshments will follow the service.

World Day of Prayer is an annual, international event and Christians in more than 170 countries across the world and 2,000 communities across Canada will gather on that day to pray and act in solidarity for the people of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

Located on the northern coast of South America, Guyana, an Amerindian word that means ‘Land of Many Waters,’ is the home to the highest single-drop waterfall in the world, which is Kaieteur Falls and is nearly five times as high as Niagara Falls.

With poverty being one of the major issues affecting a significant portion of the Guyanese population, floods in 2005 and 2006 also had a devastating impact on numerous communities in the coastal areas. Since the 1960s, there has been a steady migration to other countries, resulting in a decreasing population.

There is growing concern about the steady increase in the number of women infected by HIV/AIDS in Guyana, as well as a strong link between violence against women and HIV/AIDS. Domestic violence remains at an alarmingly high level and trafficking in persons has also been linked with the issue. Government, church, faith-based communities, civic and non-governmental organizations are working to improve the Guyana’s social conditions.

In 1920, women in Canada and the United States organized an ecumenical day of prayer. The event became international World Day of Prayer in 1922 and is celebrated by Christians around the world on the first Friday in March.