Reflection:

These six passages from scripture in the 1917 Deaconess Book of Devotions end with a prayer drawing upon Psalm 124. How fitting for women whose lives were shaped by the promise that God was their help and strength.

No doubt this was a treasured and heartfelt prayer as they carried the distress and desperation of the hurting people and communities they ministered to. How else could they have faced the difficult days God had laid before them? The Deaconesses knew that they needed only to call on God’s name, and he would be their ever-present help in times of trouble.

As Anglican Deaconess Ministries continue the work of equipping women to bring the love of Jesus to a hurting and broken world, my prayer is that we will continue to be quick to ask God to be our help; relying wholly on his strength and not our own as we lay our lives down in service of him. While I cannot profess to know all that God has in store for us, I trust he will work his good purposes — as he always has.

Today, may we rest in the knowledge that he, who created the earth and flung stars into the heavens, is our helper and strength.

Prayer:

Our help is in the Name of Lord, who has made heaven and earth. Be our strong rock and house of defence, that you may save us. Lord, hear our prayer, and let our cry come to you. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us.