40 Days of Praying - Day 25

Women's Ministry: Pray God will continue to use and to grow our women in reaching other women for Jesus. Ask his blessing on all who work so hard in this ministry.

Mark 15:41 In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.

Luke 8:1-3 After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

Romans 16:1-15 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me. Greet Priscilla ... Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you. ...Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too. ...Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the saints with them.

Galatians 3:28-29 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female , for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

I had an experience recently that caused me to reassess some of my attitudes about women and the kingdom. I was invited to observe several couples for three days (it's a long story). As I watched them interact and work together on a kingdom project, I concluded that, as a fellowship, we are sexist. I have also concluded that I am a son of my fellowship. I said this to one of the ladies who was working with us and she looked at me like I had made the shocking discover that grass is green, water is wet and ducks fly south for the winter. I have been thinking about this a lot.

At Golf Course Road we have avoided some of the fights over "womens role". I am glad of that. We have practiced a fairly conservative I would even say restrictive policy when it comes to a womans participation in our public services. It hasn't been an issue. I don't particularly want to make it one. I don't think that is healthy. But it doesn't stop there. It seems to me that we don't recognize the value of women to the work of the kingdom. I think it filters into our relationships with our wives and other women. We tend to think of their contribution in childrens ministry or women's ministry. These are extremely important. But the apostle Paul doesn't speak this way about the women who faithfully served with him for the sake of the gospel. For him they are fellow workers--advancers of the kingdom. May God bless the women of this church. May we encourage them to fully engaged in whatever work God has for them.

O God, bless the women who are disciples in this church. Bless their families. Bless their ministry and service in this church. Bless them as they love and serve the people around them. Help all of us recognize the treasure they are in Christ. Help them reach other women with the good news about Jesus. Thank you for their hard work and faithful example. Bless them Lord, in Jesus' name, Amen.

Grace.