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Read: Ephesians 6:12; Luke 18:1-8.
Dear Fellow Justice Traveler,
The practice of spiritual disciplines is foundational to any work of the Spirit. As doers of justice, we are literally in a wrestle against powers and forces of evil, disguised as people and with strongholds in systems. Staying faithful and holding an open posture toward shared transformation and change takes discipline. As the elders who have gone before have demonstrated time and again, prayer is an essential spiritual practice in the work of resistance. Sometimes that prayer is done as a public witness. I have held countless prayer meetings on the steps of public buildings, at places of worship, and in community locations where tragedies occurred. Once while participating in nonviolent direct action, I was arrested as I prayed in front of the US Speaker of the House’s office in support of Dreamers. [I was arrested for blocking the door.]
As doers of justice we pray because we know that God is listening. We pray publicly to let others know we believe that God is our higher power, calling us to work together toward his justice. We pray individually, corporately, and publicly because we know the God of justice, who hears and will respond. Prayer is not a tactic of doing justice but an ongoing way of life.
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