16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence
‘Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It does not dishonour others. It is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs’
(1 Corinthians 13:4-5).
Love should inspire love. One of the most powerful ways in which love works is when we discover
that despite our failings and weaknesses, God loves us. A true understanding of this wonderful grace
will work to make us more loving to those around us. Abuse and violence, especially domestic abuse and violence
shows that the perpetrator knows nothing of the love of God. All such behaviours is abominable;
when it occurs amongst professing Christians, it is worse. We do not talk about it enough
and hence the value of the 16 days of activism. As a society and especially as Christians
we need to make it perfectly clear that this behaviour is unacceptable.
And we need to provide help for those who are its victims.
Question for thought: How can I love a victim of abuse or violence?
Heavenly Father, our hearts are heavy when we think of the domestic abuse around the world.
Help us to support victims in our communities and surround them with love and care.
We pray for Southern Malawi, Northern Uganda, Lafia and Ilaje in Nigeria and
Thoothukudi-Nazareth in India that justice, mercy, love and compassion might reach out to victims.
May they know that your love surrounds them. AMEN.