Weekly devotion: Behind Every Story of Hope
Join us in giving thanks for everyone who gives their time and skills to volunteer for Embrace the Middle East. This behind-the-scenes help is crucial to our mission.
We love to share stories of hope from the Middle East, but our partners aren’t the only ones who deserve thanks for their faith and dedication. Our volunteers here in the UK might not always be in the spotlight, but their encouragement and generosity help make our mission possible.
Embrace volunteers serve in many different ways – some organise fundraising events; others visit churches to give talks about our work and inspire congregations to pray and donate. Others welcome visitors to events and help them learn more about the challenges facing communities in the Middle East, and a multitude of supporters faithfully uphold our partners in prayer.
Together, these volunteers form an unbreakable network of care and compassion. Their individual gifts differ, and every contribution helps strengthen the work of our Middle Eastern sisters and brothers. We give thanks for everyone – including you – who offers their time, talents, and prayers. Through your faithfulness, lives are transformed and God's love is shared across borders.
Bible reading
For God is not unjust; he will not overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do.
Hebrews 6:10
Thought
This verse from the Epistle to the Hebrews offers a wonderful encouragement to all who serve God's people. The writer reminds us that no act of love goes unnoticed by the Lord. We can sometimes wonder whether our efforts make a difference, especially when faced with the complexities of the situation in the Middle East – but God hears every prayer offered and every conversation held. He sees every event organised and every hour given in service to others.
No one person can solve everything, but God can collect our contributions together into a force for positive change. As we give thanks for all who volunteer, may we feel encouraged that our work in the Lord’s name is never in vain, and that every act of compassion advances his kingdom.
Ask yourself: Who has encouraged and inspired you in your faith journey, and how can you be that person for others?
Prayer
Lord God,
Thank you for all those who faithfully volunteer for Embrace the Middle East through prayer and practical help. Sustain them and remind them that their efforts are making a huge difference to the lives of people living amid poverty and injustice. If any of our volunteers are facing their own challenges at the moment, we ask that you walk alongside them and strengthen them.
Thank you for noticing every contribution, however small. Help us all to be your willing servants, always ready to use our abilities to make life better for others.
Amen
You are changing lives in the Middle East
Every time you volunteer you are making a difference and keeping hope alive for communities in the Middle East. Find more inspiration on our volunteering page.