Prayers for Women’s History Month

From the publication Living Lutheran - Voices of Faith

PRAYERS FOR WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH 2026

Jesus gave her water and it wasn’t from the well!

John 4 - Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at the well and breaks down, ethnic, gender, and religious barriers by having a conversation with her.

Jesus Gave Me Water

Song by Sam Cooke

Whoa, Jesus (He gave me water) gave me water (He gave me water)
Jesus (He gave me water) gave me water (He gave me water)
Jesus (He gave me water) gave me water (He gave me water)
I wanna let His (He gave me water) praises swell (He gave me water)
Jesus (He gave me water) gave me water (He gave me water)
Jesus (He gave me water) gave me water (He gave me water)
Jesus (He gave me water) gave me water (He gave me water)
And it was not in the well

Well, there was a woman from Samaria
Came to the well to get some water
There she met a stranger who did a story tell
That woman dropped the pitcher she was drinking
Was made richer from the water He gave her
And it was not in the well, whoa

Yes, He (He gave me water) gave her water (He gave me water)
Jesus (He gave me water) gave her water (He gave me water)
Jesus (He gave me water) gave her water (He gave me water)
I wanna let His (He gave me water) praises swell (He gave me water)
Jesus (He gave me water) gave her water (He gave me water)
He gave (He gave me water) that woman water (He gave me water)
Gave her livin', (He gave me water) lovin', lastin' water (He gave me water)
And it was not in the well

Well, on that woman He had pity
She ran back to the city
Crying, glory, Hallelujah!
And did His wonders tell
She left my Savior singing
She came back to Him bringing
The time she had her water, Lord
And it was not in the well, whoa

Yes, (He gave me water) gave her water (He gave me water)
Jesus (He gave me water) gave her water (He gave me water)
Jesus (He gave me water) gave her water (He gave me water)
I wanna let His (He gave me water) praises swell (He gave me water)
Jesus (He gave me water) gave that woman water (He gave me water)
Gave her (He gave me water) that livin', lovin', lastin' water (He gave me water)
Water (He gave me water, He gave me water)
And it was not in the well

Well, Lord, that woman left him shoutin'
There was no room for doubtin'
That she had made her Savior
Who did His wonders tell
Every time she'd doubt Him
She'd start to think about Him
The man who gave her that water, Lord
And it was not in the well, whoa

Yes, (he gave me water) he gave her water (He gave me water)
Jesus (He gave me water) gave her water (He gave me water)
Jesus (He gave me water) gave her water (He gave me water)
I wanna let His (He gave me water) praises swell (He gave me water)
Hey, (He gave me water) we give that woman water (He gave me water)
Gave her (He gave me water) that lovin', lastin' water (He gave me water)
Water, (He gave me water) water, water, water, lovin' water (He gave me water)
And it was not in the well

March - Women’s History and Contribution Awareness Month

This year, our Reconciling In Christ Core Team is highlighting a different justice focus each month. March is Women’s History and Contribution Awareness Month — a time to give thanks for the faith, courage, leadership, and service of women throughout the Church and in our own community.

The Virginia Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America celebrates a historic milestone: the election of Rev. Dr. Phyllis Milton as its first female bishop and first African American bishop. Her election represents more than a milestone. It reflects resilience, deep scholarship, pastoral wisdom, and a Spirit-led commitment to justice and inclusion.

Bishop Milton has faithfully served congregations across Virginia, including Holy Communion Lutheran Church in Portsmouth, First Lutheran Church in Norfolk, and Gloria Dei Lutheran Church and School in Hampton. She has also served as Synodical Minister for Christian Formation for the Virginia Synod.

Born in Levelland, Texas, Bishop Milton earned degrees from South Plains College and Morgan State University with highest honors, along with graduate degrees in business and Christian education. She holds a doctorate in Church Leadership Development and Organizational Systems and completed her Lutheran studies at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary. In addition to parish ministry, she has worked as a Christian education consultant and adjunct faculty member.

As we give thanks for Bishop Milton’s leadership, we also honor the countless women, named and unnamed, whose faithfulness has shaped our Church. May we continue to uplift and affirm women in every expression of ministry, trusting the Spirit to lead us toward a more just, inclusive, and faithful future.