Today begins the National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS. It is a call for all churches, mosque, synagogues, temples and other places of worship to pray for those who are living with HIV/AIDS. The observance was planned to involve churches nationwide in a call for action. Church leaders and members are asked to pray for those who suffer from HIV/AIDS, advocate and educate their congregations about getting tested. There are 32 churches locally who are registered on the website as supporters of this week.
National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS began as Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS twenty years ago. The success of this week began a movement that motivated other churches to join in the prayer. Founded by Pernessa Seele, CEO of The Balm in Gilead Inc., NWPHA is aimed at engaging faith communities in addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic, especially in the African American community. In her message regarding the purpose of this week, Ms. Seele states, “Let us not allow the issues that divide us to prevent us from entering into a circle of prayer and education with all of our brothers and sisters. Let us seek divine guidance for our own individual and congregational paths toward AIDS awareness, advocacy and service. “
The NPWHA wants to reach as many populations as possible. In order to do this more reasonably, the planning committee has made many of its materials available in different languages to make it more accessible to a wider audience. You can find those materials on the website. National Minority AIDS Council, which is based here in DC, also has translated materials available through their website.
Check back with this column this week for a list of local events that will occur this week.
Get tested. Get Care. Get involved.
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