Weekly devotion: Reflecting on God’s love
Think and Do Women’s Shelter, Egypt
Birds flying over rooftops on a Cairo street. Credit: Jens Aber, via Unsplash
Embrace’s partner, Think and Do, has set up a shelter and recovery programme for female survivors of domestic abuse. Based in Cairo, the shelter is called ‘Mahbouba’, which means ‘loved’ in Arabic.
The women and girls (from 13 years old upwards) at the shelter come from all over Egypt and have traumatic life stories. Some have been trafficked, while others have been sexually abused or forced into prostitution.
The recovery programme is holistic and takes into account the women’s psychological, physical, spiritual, social and economic needs. When the women come to the shelter, they are taught that they are valued (sometimes for the first time in their lives) and that they are loved by Jesus and the staff. The women benefit from literacy and vocational training, which gives them the skills and tools to play an active role in society when they leave the shelter.
Bible reading
‘Arise, Lord! Lift up your hand, O God.
Do not forget the helpless.
Why does the wicked man revile God?
Why does he say to himself,
“He won’t call me to account”?
But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted;
you consider their grief and take it in hand.
The victims commit themselves to you;
you are the helper of the fatherless.’
Psalm 10: 12-14
Thought
Fearful, lonely and misunderstood – these are all common feelings among people who have experienced abuse. For the women at the Mahbouba shelter, understanding that they are loved and valued gives them a renewed sense of hope and purpose.
Ask yourself: What difference does it make to know that God loves you? How might it change the way you think about yourself?
Prayer
Father God,
We lift before you the women’s shelter in Cairo. Thank you for each and every woman who has found a place of refuge there - may each of them know that they are loved and valued, and may you help them to find a sense of joy and hope in life. We pray for the staff there too - may they continue to keep their eyes fixed on you.
Thank you that you are the God of the oppressed, the God who lifts up the lowly. Help us to know and reflect your love in our own lives.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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CHRISTMAS APPEAL
As we celebrate the birth of Immanuel, God With Us, please help our Christian sisters and brothers in the Middle East to heal wounds and rebuild communities, so that those suffering will know that God is, indeed, still with them this Christmas.