Thursdays in Black: Pilgrim Prayers for Women in Conflict Situations

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The World Council of Churches has been mobilizing Christians all over the world to pray, walk and work for justice and peace with our brothers and sisters living in conflict countries. In 2017 and 2018, “Pilgrim Team Visits” have highlighted gender injustice especially during armed conflict. Visits have so far taken place to Nigeria, Burundi; Colombia, and South Sudan.

In all the countries the WCC pilgrims have visited so far, our sisters have shared devastating stories. They are carrying unspeakable wounds. Yet, the women also show incredible strength that comes from their faith in God who is able to transform the conflict to justice and peace.

The pilgrims from the team visit to South Sudan, in particular, committed themselves to invite you to join the prayer for overcoming the gender violence. These reflections and prayers are shared every Thursday as part of the WCC Thursdays in Black campaign.

Women in Church Leadership

“So Hilkiah and those the king had designated went and spoke to Huldah… And Huldah said to them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says…” 2 Chronicles 34:22-23

Reflection

Women have always been the backbone of the Church and have always been in leadership positions. From preaching to teaching to hospitality women are at the forefront of church leadership whether the position is ecclesiastically ordained or not. We know the church would not survive if it were not for dedicated women holding the pieces of local congregations together with their prophetic and motherly wisdom. The prophet Huldah was one such woman.

Despite her being described as the wife of Shallum ben Tikvah, who was responsible for the King’s wardrobe, this Godly woman was a teacher of oral tradition. In fact, she herself taught the young King Josiah to live in Godly ways. She was a confidante and counselor to many and she was a prophet and woman of wisdom who would bring peace to King Josiah’s reign because of what she heard from God. And because she heard from God, the King had everything related to other gods destroyed and he reintroduced the God from the Bible.

While in South Sudan we had a chance to meet great women from various churches and with women in parliamentary positions. Many talked about their roles within their local congregations. Many of these leaders have been ordained by their churches where the work involved counseling women and girls who have been traumatized by this civil war. Women from both the ruling party and the opposition parties have been against the civil war and have worked diligently in their government roles and in their churches to promote peace.

These leaders are filled with motherly wisdom and concern for the future of their country. They seek God and hear from God. South Sudan, through its many struggles is raising up prophets like Huldah, who will speak a Word and help save their land.

Prayer

Lord God, in the Name of Jesus, we pray for women leaders in South Sudan. We pray that women in government are able to be a light in the midst of darkness as they try to change perceptions about gender. We pray that they are able to move every heart towards peace and reconciliation. May they continue to have the courage to speak truth to power despite threats against their very lives and livelihoods.We pray, in the Name of Jesus, for women in church leadership who have young minds in their care. We pray that they may be able to change minds from war to peace, from individualism to community, through the gospel of Jesus Christ.God of mercy, allow the Huldahs of the world to practice their faith and leadership unhindered by restraints of gender stereotypes, and rather use their capabilities to love, to warn, and to refresh generations. We pray this prayer in the Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

By Rev. Kymberley Clemons-Jones, Presybterian Church of the USA