The Adventist Church in Leon observed International Women's Day led by the Women's Ministries Department on March 8, 2025, under the theme of the sermon “Try to communicate”. It was a program prepared by the Women's Ministries department of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
The theme focused on the importance of prayer. We need to seek the presence of Jesus, present our petitions, and have full confidence in the power and goodness of God and His answer to prayer. This was illustrated by two biblical stories:
Jairus' daughter: Every life is important to Jesus. “While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. ‘Your daughter is dead,’ he said. ‘Don’t bother the teacher anymore.’ Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.’” (Luke 8:49-50NIV
In the case of the woman with issue of blood in Mark 5:25-26: “And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better, she grew worse.” Jesus did not see an untouchable, he wanted to be more than her Healer, he wanted to be her Savior and Friend. Mark 5:34: “He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.’”
In the afternoon “Prayer Space”
In (Ephesians 6: 18) we read “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.”
In the afternoon, we had time for intercessory prayer (for families, young people, men as head of the family), prayer of gratitude, praises, and testimonies.
Seminar: “The Joy of Being a Child of God”
This seminar emphasized strengthening our identity as children of God, created “in his own image, in the image of God… male and female he created them.” (Genesis 1:27). It means that none of us is better or worse than the other, and it teaches us to celebrate and accept the differences given by God, putting at his service our gifts and talents in proclaiming the gospel, setting our gaze on Jesus and discarding false mirrors that confuse and alienate us.
It was very dynamic, with a short sketch “The Mirror”, discussion groups of questions, biblical games, and praises.
We ended the day with the joy of being together as brothers and sisters with delicious snacks and tea, and very grateful to God for all the blessings we receive in the church of Leon.
The importance of prayer
“All who turn to Christ today should remember that the merits of Christ are the incense that mingles with the prayers of those who repent of their sins and receive forgiveness, mercy, and grace. Our need for Christ's intercession is constant. Day after day, morning and evening, the humble heart needs to raise prayers that will receive answers of grace, peace, and joy (Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary 6:1078).
According to a report by: Viviana Barros, of the Women's Ministries team.
Photographs by Britany Demera Benítez.
https://revista.adventista.es/dia-de-la-mujer-en-la-iglesia-de-leon-la-importancia-de-la-oracion/