Prayer and Activism

During a discussion/study on women in the Bible, one woman said to our group:

"I don't support feminism because I don't want to get political."

As the room went silent (I'm known as a feminist!), I was flooded with a plethora of instantaneous reactions.

My emotions screamed sadness at a woman supporting the status quo of the patriarchy.

My intellect railed against the perceived ignorance of her statement.

My inner political animal growled about how the affairs of the whole are not necessarily partisan and controversial.

Ah, intoned my pastoral heart, let's calmly define what we really mean.

After a deep breath, we gently and compassionately discussed what feminism means and what it looks like in our lives. We articulated that 'being political' is not limited to what we see in the news. And we all agreed with the need for equality, in all aspects of life.

It was a lively, lovely, and holy discussion.

My spiritual core was not satisfied with leaving it at that: stirring up within me was the need for action. So, I prayed, for prayer is itself an means of activism, as well as the invitation to invoke change through action.

I prayed that my desire for gender equality might not be off-putting to those with whom I worship and work, that I might not exude an arrogance from my feminist point of view over the perspective of those I encounter.

I prayed that today's feminists might both celebrate the trailblazing of our ancestors, and be patient with those who were instructed (individually and collectively) in a vastly different paradigm.

I prayed that the church, as an institution and as the community, would teach and support that all of God's people are worthy of equal rights.

I prayed that all people would feel loved and whole in the full stature of Christ, not needing to be completed by anyone else, as they live their ministry.

I prayed that everyone would be comfortable embracing their unique one-ness with themselves and with those around them, knowing themselves to be a beautiful and important part of God's creation for this time.

I prayed that everyone would delight in the deep and intimate knowledge that they are valued as a child of God and heir of the Kingdom.

I prayed - not to change someone else's perspectives or politics, but desiring to bring myself closer to God's will for a just and equal society.

For it is when our lives reflect the truth that we all have been made in the image and likeness of God, when we recognize and delight in our shared humanity and equal access to the Divine, that we will no longer need to be 'political' - for we will all be surrounded by the grace that God lavishes upon us.

I prayed - and I continue to pray.

(Originally written for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence in 2018, I am re-posting as the conversation can benefit from continuing, and today is the 4th Day of this year's 16 Days. For more blogs and prayers, see ecumenicalwomenun.org)