In the heart of the South Pacific, the Cook Islands stand as a testament to unity and faith, largely driven by a coalition of women from diverse Christian denominations. This vibrant fellowship is spearheaded by Luduina Williams, a Latter-day Saint who serves as the president of the Cook Islands World Day of Prayer committee.
“We come from different denominations, but we all belong to the same God,” stated Williams, capturing the essence of the World Day of Prayer within her community.
The World Day of Prayer is an international, ecumenical movement where women around the globe unite each March—and throughout the entire year—engaging in prayer, worship, and community service, as reported by the Church’s Pacific Newsroom. In 2025, the Cook Islands were the focal point of this prayer movement, as women in more than 170 countries offered their heartfelt prayers for the women of the islands.
In return, Williams and her committee expressed gratitude by praying for their own people, leaders, and land. The 2025 theme, “I Made You Wonderful,” based on Psalm 139:14, was designed to inspire women across the islands with a message of intrinsic worth and sisterly love. “What I hope that I, as a president, was able to show to the women of our country is love — to share love and to understand each other,” she shared.
Williams views prayer as a vital guiding force in her leadership. For the past seven years, she has turned to God for wisdom in guiding the diverse women she leads. “There are a lot of things that we don’t agree on, and there’s a lot of differences,” she explained. “I’m always asking the Lord to guide me today. ‘I am stuck with this decision, help me or show me a way how I can solve this problem with the women.’”
This prayerful leadership approach has led to significant impacts, including a personal acknowledgment from the country’s prime minister and his wife, who thanked Williams for praying for their leadership. “We prayed for our prime minister to make the right choice in leading our country,” Williams recalled, highlighting the influence of their prayers on the nation’s governance.
Reflecting on her role, Williams also honors the legacy of those who paved the way for her work. Recently, she and her committee visited the grave of Akaiti Ama, the founder of the World Day of Prayer in the Cook Islands in 1971. This visit included laying flowers, sharing stories, and commemorating Ama’s dedication to uniting women through faith. The legacy she established continues to flourish among Christian women across the islands.
“Always trust the Lord, and He will have an answer,” Williams affirmed, embodying the faith that shapes her leadership and the collective aim of the Cook Islands’ women. Workshops, worship services, and community visits throughout the year further solidify this enduring legacy, highlighting the transformative power of prayer to foster understanding and harmony amid diversity.
