Weekly devotion: Bringing others to God

Salaam Centre, Egypt

A view of the community where the Salaam Centre is located.

This week we’re praying for the Salaam Centre in Egypt, run by the Daughters of Mary Convent. This project serves Coptic Christian communities living in the large, densely populated eastern outskirts of Cairo. Many of the residents in this community are known as ‘Zabbaleen’, and their work involves collecting rubbish from Cairo’s streets. 

The community is marginalised, with many people living in poverty. The Sisters at the Salaam Centre are working hard to help build a healthier, safer society. They hold support groups for drug addicts and run awareness sessions about substance abuse in local schools. Their child health clinic and medical convoys address common health problems, such as malnutrition and respiratory diseases.

In an area where violence against women is high, a particularly important area of the Sisters’ work focuses on women’s issues. They provide health, legal and psychological support for women who have experienced violence, as well as education and job training. They also run a weekly support group for local women who have experienced domestic abuse.

Bible reading

Mary’s Magnificat

And Mary said:

‘My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant …
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.’

Read the full Magnificat: Luke 1:46-55

Thought

Just like Mary, the Mother of Jesus, was chosen to bear the Son of God, the Sisters at the Salaam Centre are bringing God to marginalised people through practical services and support. They are responding to deep spiritual thirst in the community and pointing people to Jesus.

Ask yourself: How can you bring God to the people he has put in your life?

Prayer

Compassionate God,

We praise you for the work of the Salaam Centre and ask that your blessing would rain down upon it. We thank you for the love and dedication of the Sisters, and we pray that they would continue to be a beacon of light in this marginalised community in Cairo.

We especially lift before you the women attending the domestic violence support group. We thank you for this place of refuge and mutual support, and we pray for the dignity of women to be respected and uplifted in the wider community.

In our own lives, help us to be sensitive to those who are spiritually thirsty and to always be ready to point them to Jesus.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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