There is no comparison to the pain of widowhood. Reknown missionary, mother and widow Elisabeth Elliot said it very well in her letter To a New Widow:

“Dearest one: I know the proportion of that pain, and there is no minimizing it here and now. I also know the truth of 2 Corinthians 4:17, “These little troubles (which are really so transitory) are winning for us a permanent, glorious and solid reward out of all proportion to our pain.” The bigger our pain now, the bigger that “weight of glory” will be. It’s mysterious, it’s unimaginable, but it’s going to be, and for that we give thanks.”

How to give thanks for widowhood? Truly, only God can comfort such a grieving heart. In practical terms, in many places of the world widows suffer double. That is why International Widows Day is a United Nations ratified day of action to address the “poverty and injustice faced by millions of widows and their dependents in many countries”. The day takes place annually on 23 June.

We at Messiah Missions know of the importance of the fatherless for the Lord.  He repeatedly mentions the widows encouraging his people to care for them:

“Learn to do good; Seek justice, Reprove the ruthless, Defend the orphan, Plead for the widow.” Isaiah 1:17

“Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” James 1:27

At Messiah Missions, we have strived to dedicate special support to the orphans and widows.  That’s why the ministries we support write frequently about them.  If you would like to learn more of the widows supported by the ministries with which we work in India you may click here or click below on a specific postabout widows integrating the ministry in Nanjangud in India:

You can join hands with the widows supported by Messiah Missions by doing the following:

• Praying for strength and courage to raise their children in the admonition of the Lord
• Praying for provision for their families
• Sending financial offerings for the widows to provide their children with the basics to survive
• Sending financial offerings to the ministries to reach more widows in their communities

We praise the Lord for your interest in the widows and orphans today!  May we all continue to show active compassion towards those sisters in Christ who raise their children alone, especially in countries where there is no safety net ready to support them.

In Christ and for His glory,
Messiah Missions Team in the USA