Open Hands: A Lifeline for Women in Need

She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
Proverbs 31:20

March 2, 2026 is International Women’s Day. It’s a global reminder to honor women’s strength, and to remember the women who are still fighting to survive. The theme for 2026 is Give to Gain, and the image chosen to represent this theme is simple: the open palm.

Open palms are a symbol used throughout the Bible—a posture with deep meaning. We lift open hands in worship to acknowledge God’s authority and power over all things, and to acknowledge, “Everything comes from You” We sit with open palms in prayer as an outward expression of an inner commitment, a way of saying we’re ready to receive what God wants to give—His mercy, His help, His Spirit.

But there’s another expression of open palms Scripture recognizes: the willingness to give freely. Proverbs 31:20 says it beautifully: “She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.” The Proverbs 31 woman isn’t just described as capable—she reflects the heart of God, who gives generously to His creation. Psalm 104 reminds us that when God opens His hand, His creatures are filled with good things. Psalm 145:16 declares, “You open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.”

Each of us has been a recipient of God’s open hand as described in these Psalms—the beauty of His creation and the seasons, cultivating the land for food, savoring the aroma and taste of fresh bread, in a glass of wine that tastes like celebration, strength in our bodies, and God’s mercy that is new every morning. Even the smallest gifts are evidence of a generous God.

So what might it look like for our hands to mirror His hands? This month of International Women’s Day, let’s choose open palms that don’t just receive, but release—love, help, and hope.

Would you prayerfully consider giving to Heart of Mercy Mission—or becoming an Awareness Advocate who shares this work with your church, friends, and family? Your open hand can become a lifeline for a woman in need.

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Rachel Britton

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Your support of the Heart of Mercy Mission helps fulfill God’s requests of us, his people. It allows you to be a partner with the teams who are ministering in Jesus name, helping marginalized women around the world. Heart of Mercy Mission, as the humanitarian arm of Christian Women in Media Association, puts members’ heartfelt compassion into action and gives hope to the hopeless...feeding them, loving them, and leading them to Jesus. Heart of Mercy Mission is justice, mercy and compassion in action.

HMM welcomes your financial support and invites you to become an Awareness Advocate and share about the ministry with your networks – church, family, friends, ministry, etc. Donate: heartofmercymission.org/donate, Awareness Advocates: heartofmercymission.org/share-the-need

Your financial support and prayers help the women facing tragic life situations. Monthly support needed for one client:
Food – $50/month - minimum of 5 months;
counseling $50/session – minimum 8 sessions but many need constant support,
medical needs $250/person - one time;
group counseling; and
recommendation for life skills training to help her support herself

Your financial gift to Heart of Mercy Missions will support our work around the globe. Please pray about how you can best support the mission through prayer, advocacy, or financial sponsorship.

Please pray for:
the marginalized women around the world and in our programs who experience poverty, rejection from community, trafficking, grief, and trauma.
the staff who faithfully minister in our programs.
financial needs to be met for the work to continue.

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Photo by Idin Ebrahimi on Unsplash

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