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by Gwen McVicker & Idelette McVickerPlease join us as we pray for the ministry of
Women Today Online every Tuesday
@ 8:00 am 9:00 am Pacific
Cultural practices often create suffering and hardship for women. In 1996, life for women in Afghanistan changed drastically when the Taliban took over as ruling power. Educated women who once held responsible positions now have to be accompanied by a male relative to work, or even when going out in public.
Women live in fear of their lives for the slightest misbehavior. They have to wear "burqua" and make sure that not any part of their bodies are exposed which could be offensive to a man. Also, the windows of a house where a woman lives must be painted so that she can never be seen by outsiders. There are almost no medical facilities available for them and the levels of depression and suicide amongst women in Afghanistan are skyrocketing.
Cry out to God on behalf of the many Afghan women.
Sometimes the abuse of authority or the tyranny of government, like the rule of the Taliban, may seem overwhelming. What can I do to overthrow a government or change a cultural practice that has gone on for centuries, you might ask. Have you considered a time of fasting and prayer to break the yoke of injustice?
In Mark 9:29 Jesus tells His disciples that certain changes can only be affected by prayer and fasting. Queen Esther called a three-day fast for her nation. Daniel fasted and set his eyes toward heaven. What are you willing to do?
We can go to a God who sees every woman and intercedes with us on behalf of those who most need our prayers.
Thank the Holy Spirit for interceding, especially when we don't quite know how to pray.
"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express". (Romans 8:26)
Used with permission by Discovering God's Heart for Suffering Women, a 40-day prayer pilgrimage.
