To be heard, we must listen

I was recently preaching at a church. In-between the services I stayed near the coffee to greet the people at the church. It was interesting how much people had to share with me. I truthfully did very little talking. However, in my listening we built a connection. And when we finished a conversation people thanked me for how much I had shared.

I had been pretty nervous to share in a church I had never had any interaction with. Generally if I am speaking in churches it is in a small group and I learn something about the people through our dialogue. It is easier for me to meet and listen to people so that what I say can relate to them in a positive way. But standing up and talking about immigration, when you have no idea what your audience thinks is a good learning experience.

But for a lot of people I think they gained a lot more from me, because in the down time I listened to them. Some wished to instruct me and I garnered what was useful from their advice. I am not sure everyone left on the same page as my sermon…

But I am sure they heard more of what I said, because I took the time to listen and learn about them.

And I was blessed to learn about a new group of people.

International Women's Day

In gearing up for International Women's Day on March 8th, I wanted to share some posters from various events and IWD's from previous years.

"Pray for me"

"Keep ______ in your prayers"

In fact she didn't just ask me to pray for her, she asked for prayers for those I felt hurt her.

But this time being asked to just pray made me feel even more helpless, though maybe humbled, and incredibly far away.

Don't get me wrong, during this Mission Intern Program I have learned a lot about prayer. And I guess in my own context it somehow astounds me when people half a globe away are praying for me. In general I think prayer is a good discipline in some ways of focus for us. I think its a nice thing to keep someone in your thoughts. And for the most part I think its a good, but hard thing to remember their is something bigger than us that cares about all these joys and concerns.

Maybe that is what I need to remind myself right now.

But how do you balance prayer and action? How do I truly understand the power of prayer when I so deeply believe something must be down to keep someone safe?

But most importantly how do I respect the way someone else wants to handle their life? How do I hope to know the right action?

I am honestly bitter, that I'll I can do today is pray. Hopefully, it will be a lesson in prayer. Because I am too far for helpful action. And I love all the players in this drama - so it gets very messy.

But I see an injustice; it is so personal. And I'm just supposed to pray?

Maybe working with an attorney and hearing the law interpreted is affecting me. But it makes me angry when there is nothing to do. No good way to strategize or change a situation. No good way to get involved leaving my own judgements and culture at the day.

....

Its been a few weeks since she asked me to pray. And in some ways it was a gift so I could do something. In some ways its most important she asked me to do anything at all and I can honor that request.

When you want to stand with someone and walk with them through a struggle, it is so very hard to know you can only pray.

But in her struggle she is still teaching me something about faith and her belief. She believes in love. And she believe in prayer and praying to a God that can change hearts.

So I pray the prayers she asked me to pray.