International Women’s Day of Prayer

Women of Leon, Spain Find Identity in God

March 8, 2025 | Inter-European Division | Viviana Barros | Photographs by Britany Demera Benítez

The Adventist Church in Leon, Spain, observed the International Women’s Day of Prayer, 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 message 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 answers 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, 50, NIV).

• The case of the woman with issue of blood in Mark 5:25, 26, NIV: “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. In Mark 5:34, NIV: “He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.’ ”

Afternoon “Prayer Space”

In Ephesians 6:18, NIV 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, participants had time for intercessory prayer (for families, young people, men as heads of their families), prayers of gratitude, praises, and testimonies.

Seminar: “The Joy of Being a Child of God”

The “Joy of Being a Child of God” 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, NIV). It means that none of us is better or worse than the other, and this 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. The seminar was very dynamic, with a short sketch “The Mirror,” discussion groups and questions, biblical games, and praises.

Participants ended the day in the joy of being together as brothers and sisters with delicious snacks and tea. They were very grateful to God for all the blessings they received 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 (The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, 6:1078).

Additional Link

revista.adventista.es/dia-de-la-mujer-en-la-iglesia-de-leon-la-importancia-de-la-oracion/