The Lord's Praying Women

by Guy Jarvie, Glasgow, Scotland | Category: General | Dec 1989

It is interesting to read about the women who followed the Lord and His disciples from Galilee to Jerusalem, ministering of their substance (Luke 8:3). They were present when the Lord was crucified, sharing the sorrows of their beloved Lord (Luke 23:49). They followed His body to the tomb, seeing how it was laid. They were first at the tomb on that first Lord's day. Mary Magdalene was the fff5t to see the Lord before he ascended to the Father.

When the Lord ascended on high the disciples returned to pray in the Upper Room. The women, with Mary, the mother of Jesus, were at that first prayer meeting of which we read. What earnest prayer would ascend to God as they thought of the ascending Christ! They knew that He would come again, but when? The eleven would never forget the view of His ascension into heaven. The world and its glory would never grip their hearts after that sight. So now they were waiting for the coming of the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit.

Paul commended the women who laboured with him in the gospel (Phil. 4:3). Not in public preaching would they serve, but in their prayer times and in their care for the apostle and his fellow workers and in personal witness. Then as now there are many who can be better reached by sisters than by brethren.

In the fiery trials of the first and second century, some of the disciples had to face the lions and death. We read of young women who yielded their lives by their testimony. They had to choose to worship God or the Emperor. They chose God whatever the cost.. By faith and prayer these women stood firm because of their love for Christ. He was in their hearts.

In the middle ages, some women went to the stake for the truth and paid the final price. When at the stake, some of them were offered life if they would recant. Anne Askew, one of them, answered "I have not come here to deny my Lord". She paid the price. How could they do this? They did it through faith and prayer and for the love of Christ.

In the mission fields of the world many women suffered and died to reach those who live in spiritual darkness. They also were able to pay the price, through their faith and the love of Christ.

Even in our own days, we have read of women who have gone to Communist prisons and to privations for many years. They have given a bright testimony that they were ready to suffer for Christ's sake. They stood against men and demons. How could they do it? As always - they did it by prayer and the love of Christ.

Those of us who are not at present being tested by violence or prisons

may in other ways be called upon to lose for Christ's sake and for the truth. The Lord gave Himself for our sake, and readily we can lose for His sake. Satan and the world will tempt us. This modern world with its philosophy and its glamour appeals to all ages. We shall only be able to stand through

prayer and for the love of Christ, losing joyfully for His sake.

In their God-given service sisters are a source of joy and spiritual strength in the assemblies as we labour together until the coming of the Lord.

Guy Jarvie, Glasgow, Scotland | Dec 1989
General