August 26th is celebrated as National Women’s Equality Day, commemorating the 1920 adoption of the 19th Amendment that granted women the right to vote in the United States. This day invites reflection on the ongoing journey toward equality, dignity, and justice for all people. These prayers focus on honoring the divine image in every person, seeking wisdom to recognize injustice, and finding strength to work toward a world where all are valued as God intended.
Date Context
Date: August 26
Season: Late Summer / Women’s Equality Day
Theme: Human Dignity and Justice
August 26 Prayer – Divine Guidance
Lord our God,
Be our Father and care for your children here on earth,
where it is often bitterly hard
and where everything seems to turn against us.
Keep us faithful in our inner life,
drawing all our strength from you,
the eternal power of life,
and from Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.
For Jesus has promised to come to us,
and you will send him in our time of need.
Let your strong hand be with those
who often do not know where to turn.
Show us paths we can follow,
to the glory of your name in all eternity.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer:
August 26 Prayer – Faithful Work
My Lord,
I pray that thou wilt control my life,
and bless the going out of my work,
be it ever so great or small.
Help me to realize the necessity of earnestness,
that I may “work while it is to-day,”
and I have the light,
and not wait for the night,
when it is too dark for work to be done.
May I be faithful in my work until it is completed.
Amen.
Best Times for This Prayer:
Scripture for This Day
Devotional Reflection
Women’s Equality Day reminds us of humanity’s ongoing journey toward recognizing the inherent dignity of every person. Scripture teaches that all people—regardless of gender, ethnicity, or social status—are created in God’s image and are equal in worth and calling. Yet throughout history, this divine truth has often been obscured by human prejudice and unjust systems.
The first prayer acknowledges that working for justice can be “bitterly hard,” with opposition coming from many directions. It reminds us to draw strength from God rather than our own limited resources. When facing the enormous task of creating a more just world, we find courage in knowing that Christ walks with us, especially in times when those marginalized “do not know where to turn.”
The second prayer speaks to the faithful persistence required for justice work. It recognizes that transformation happens through dedicated effort—both “great and small.” The prayer’s emphasis on working “while it is today” echoes the urgency felt by many equality advocates, while acknowledging that such work requires divine blessing to bear lasting fruit.
