Mothers’ Union Devotion Wednesday 1st September 2021
In our prayers for you we always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, Colossians 1. 3-4
Today, the 1st of September comes after a month of remembering Mary Sumner and all she did to found, sustain, and inspire the work of the Mothers’ Union. Our words from St Paul’s Letter to the Colossians reminds us how important it is to give thanks to God for all the wonderful women and men who as members of Mothers’ Union are stirred by their faith to share the love of Christ Jesus throughout their local communities.
We are reminded daily of just how far reaching the work of Mothers’ Union members is in our Wave of Prayer. So today we give thanks for the work undertaken in the Diocese of Harare in Zimbabwe. For their newly refurbished diocesan office with its new sewing machines and staff who make Mothers’ Union uniforms. Vital for making our organisation visible in a country which is struggling to recover after years of political turmoil. We pray for their plans to expand this work in making uniforms for school children at more affordable prices, allowing more children to access essential education.
We also give thanks for the work in the Diocese of Machakos in Kenya. For the role members play in running hostels for vulnerable girls, which keeps them safe from the influence of alcohol, drugs, and prostitution. So many young lives saved from the inevitable consequences of homelessness. We give thanks for the work undertaken in the dioceses of Ogori-Magongo and Ekiti in Nigeria as they strive to create opportunities for women and young girls to reach their full potential, running programs which raise awareness of the importance of a stable family life.
We also give thanks for the work of Mothers’ Union members in the Diocese of Phulbani in India. For their efforts to reduce gender-based violence and human trafficking. For their health awareness campaigns and marriage preparation programmes. We pray for all the people who benefit from their dedication to the mission of Mothers’ Union. We give thanks for the work of the Diocese of Southwark, for their AFIA projects, their work on raising awareness of Modern Day Slavery and their Tea@3 work in the Evelina Hospital Children’s Hospital.
Such a lot of work undertaken in the name of Jesus Christ and yet just a snapshot of the amazing amount of work inspired by the example of Mary Sumner and sustained by faith and love for all the saints throughout the world.
With all my love and prayers
Revd Sandra
