Gracious God,
On this
International Women’s Day,
we celebrate the goodness
you have brought
into the world
in and through women
since the beginning of time.
We give thanks for the women who have
nurtured our very being,
showed us how to live,
taught us skills,
soothed our souls with music,
enriched our knowledge,
passed on traditions,
celebrated our scribbles and dirt creations as masterpieces,
helped shape our identity,
inspired us in faith,
fed our faith,
filled our hearts with joy,
comforted us in grief,
steadied us when our world was crumbling,
sheltered us from harm,
protected us in times of danger,
served as peacemakers in times of war and conflict,
advocated, fought for, and defended the rights of women,
broke glass ceilings, stigmas and stereotypes,
stood up against injustice and oppression,
shaped our economy and community
with their entrepreneurial spirit and heart for service,
empowered us to be more,
led by example,
taught us that celebrating women
is more than celebrating motherhood and marriage,
inspired us to dream,
motivated us to reach those dreams,
believed when we were unbelieving,
met us with grace in all circumstances.
In the beginning, you created women in your image.
And you blessed women.
Creating, redeeming, and sustaining God,
Continue to bless women, shaping them according to your will.
May wholeness be found
in the role you gave them first before any other role –
beloved child of God.
Where there is inequality, help women be valued.
Where women are silenced and oppressed,
give women a voice
and show us all again how to relate to one another in love.
Where women feel alone,
surround them with community and support.
Where women are feeling overwhelmed
by all the hats they wear,
help them find balance, strength, and rest in you.
May all the gifts you have knitted into their design
shine in and on creation, to your glory.
Amen.
(C) Wendy MacWilliams
Prayer may be shared with others.
Picture: Gerd Altmann, Pixabay