God of the Voiceless

Proverbs 31:8-9
8 Speak out for those who cannot speak,
for the rights of all the destitute.
9 Speak out; judge righteously;
defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Eighteen years ago, I attended a 3-day spiritual retreat, called “Walk to Emmaus”.  It was held in the basement of a large Methodist church in Columbus, OH.  Participants were asked not to bring/wear their watches and, if they had cell phones (still a novelty at that time!) to leave them at home.  The intention was to be in true retreat setting. It was following this retreat that I discerned God was calling me into active ministry.  Of course, at the time, it made absolutely no sense to me, but friends, family and even slight acquaintances continued to confirm, that yes, this call for me to become a minister made absolute sense to them!  All these years later I continue to be struck by a verse that was shared with me that weekend.  An inmate, from the state penitentiary, had written on a poster board a message that was created to offer the retreat participants encouragement.  The verse, scrawled inside a crayoned heart, was Proverbs 31:8-9. “Speak out!”  I knew then and I know now my call to become a minister of Word and Service was based on a desire to give voice to those who cannot speak for themselves, whether children or immigrants, poor or disenfranchised.  I believe God calls us as a community to be bold, to speak up and out on behalf of those whose voices have been silenced.

Prayer:
God of the Voiceless,
Encourage us to be brave.  To speak up when it feels uncomfortable.  To notice those who are frightened or scared and to offer them encouragement.  Give us words to speak when we find our own words faltering.  We hear you calling us up and out of our comfortable spaces.  We pray for your contagious courage to embolden us.  Amen.