September Devotional

Why We Serve

 Isaiah 61:1-3 reminds us why we serve as Women of Vision:

     The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, 

because the Lord anointed me

     to preach good news to the poor,

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives,

and release from darkness for the prisoners,

to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor,

and the day of vengeance of our God,

to comfort all who mourn,

and provide for those who grieve in Zion

to bestow on them a crown of beauty

instead of ashes,

the oil of gladness

instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise

instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness,

a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.

We as Women of Vision have the privilege of serving as volunteers within the infrastructure of  World Vision. As we reflect on our recent educational Event, "make it right" it seems timely to revisit an older video that Rich Stearns, President of World Vision US, made for Women of Vision some years ago. To hear his perspective on the significance of Women of Vision to World Vision is heartening and encouraging.

He mentions a movement on behalf of the poorest of the poor and how Women of Vision is making a difference in the lives of children and women around the world through advocating, fundraising and organizing by spending thousands of hours investing in World Vision. He states that the impact is far beyond the fund raising that is done for World Vision because we are advocates for the poor. He mentions mission trips and how they bring to poor communities care and compassion to the countries that are visited by Women of Vision.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We praise You for all that You did on our behalf for the "make it right" Event. We praise You that the number of people attending and the funds raised and the impact to the Seattle Area was made possible through Your Hands of blessing and Your grace. Thank You for using us for Your honor and glory.

Help us not to grow weary in well-doing. Redeem the countless hours that some gave toward this Event. Bless those who continually went and did and gave so that this Event could be successful. Thank you for those who prayed so that Your Kingdom's work could be accomplished.

Thank you for the privilege that we have to be a part of World Vision. We ask that You would continue to bless this organization in every way. We ask for wisdom amongst those who lead and make decisions about goals and priorities. We ask that You would unite us all as a powerful movement on behalf of the poorest of the poor so that the world can see You in all that is said and done. Use us Lord to bring life in all its fullness to the poor and marginalized children, women and families around the globe.

We praise You that this movement of World Vision and Women of Vision to the poorest of the poor will bring good news to the poor, bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim freedom for the captives, release prisoners from darkness, provide for those who grieve and bring them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil to gladness instead of mourning and a garmet of praise instead of a spirit of despair. We praise You that victims that we serve through the World Vision projects that we support in Appalachia and Cambodia will be called oaks of righteousness and tht the world will look upon them as a display of Your splendor! 

 

We love You Jesus and count it an honor to serve You. In Your Name we pray. Amen.