This year, Take Heart’s Lent prayer focus is for persecuted Christian women and girls. In this blog series, we highlight four incredible women and girls we serve in Syria, Egypt, Nigeria, and Iraq. Our persecuted sisters in Christ have much to teach us about standing firm with great hope in the midst of suffering. 
“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.” – Psalm 139:14
Fearfully and wonderfully made
According to Psychology Today, 85% of people worldwide have low self-esteem. The reasons for this could be many: trauma, upbringing, perfectionist standards for self, toxic shame; to name just a few. Do you struggle to believe that your life has value and purpose? Do you believe that you are loved and accepted? Do you understand how incredibly beautiful you are? Many of us shy away from believing that we truly belong and are purposefully called to God’s Kingdom work. We label ourselves with lies about our identity. Society adds more layers to the lies. Psalm 139 reminds us of our true identity in Christ. We are fearfully and wonderfully made, whether anyone in the world tells us that or not. We can journey through this life with confidence that, because of Jesus, we are worthy. Our Savior literally loved us to death. What greater proof of our value could we ask for? 
Hanna’s Story
At Take Heart, empowering women is a key strategy to foster growth and sustainability in the communities we serve. Hanna in Egypt knows firsthand what it is like to be equipped and empowered. Before Take Heart recognized her intrinsic worth and God-given talents, Hanna struggled with finding meaning in her life. She struggled to believe she was fearfully and wonderfully made. Hanna is now involved in three leadership activities in her village and is earning her own salary. She finds joy in educating more women in her community, helping many find the purpose and hope that she has found.
Pray for Egypt
Will you pray this prayer with us every day this week?
Giver of life and all goodness,
Thank you for valuing all women and girls as your beloved image-bearers. Thank you for Hanna and her remarkable life. Help all women in Egypt to know their inestimable worth. Give them opportunities to lead in ways they had never dreamed possible. Show them your desires for their lives and forge paths for them through prejudice, family expectations, and cultural barriers towards freedom and purpose.
Amen.
Empower women through income-generating projects
Has Hanna’s story inspired you to want to affirm the worth of persecuted Christian women in Egypt? Help Take Heart empower women in Iraq, Syria, Nigeria, and Egypt with the equipment, training, and loans they need to start their own businesses so they can begin to thrive in financial independence and stability.
Our goal is to sponsor 100 women this year. Your donation of $400 will provide one woman with the support she needs to start a business that will anchor her in financial stability for years to come. Learn more and give today at https://takeheartcanada.com//easter/
