Prayer alone is not enough

Last week, Eve's Angels, a Grand Rapids based organization that does outreach to strip clubs and dancers to offer Christian-based spiritual guidance and support, organized a prayer vigil for the missing and murdered women of Detroit.  While I'm not a big fan of organized religion in general (to me, spirituality is personal and unique even if we all have a shared connection), I attended as I wanted to show my support to the families and community about what is going on up there.  I also expected that this would be a springboard for a plan for community action on how to keep the pressure on finding who is perpetrating these crimes (a possible serial killer), bring home the missing, and find justice for all the victims.  I showed up because I want to *do* something, and get involved.

While I can appreciate how prayer, and the church, can be a great tool in bringing the community together in situations like this, what was disappointing is that they had nothing to offer BUT prayer.  At the end, no discussions were had about ways to take our shared interest, and any inspirations, and turn them in to action.  We were told to just go home and continue to pray...and I'm sorry, but prayer is NOT enough.  Prayer must be turned in to action!  People showed up there, regardless of their spiritual beliefs or affiliations looking for leadership, be it from God, or from someone to lead the community to rise up and demand that justice be served.  An opportunity was missed to take the energy of that shared moment and turn it in to something bigger. 

I'm hoping that if there are any future prayer vigils, a greater effort is made to create a plan of actual action at the end.  Kalisha and Cherise (still missing), along with the families of Demesha, Renisha, Vernitha and Natasha all need our prayers, but they also need our action.

-Megan Morgenson 
 

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  • 1/9/2012 12:15 PM Lia wrote:
    Megan, if you think they would be amenable to suggestions like this, you'd be welcome to give the org my information... I've been doing support and prayer for a long time, and I'm with you... prayer is good, but it's only the beginning.
    Reply to this
    1. 1/9/2012 12:47 PM Megan wrote:
      Thank you Lia! Anyone reading this that is interested in a sex worker friendly outlet for spiritual development, Lia's site is http://www.roguereverend.com/

      I admire the work you do Lia, and the work of others that helps allow spiritual growth within the sex industry (we can be spiritual AND be a sex worker too!). I was only introduced to the head of Eve's Angels in passing, so do not feel I know her well enough to start making suggestions directly, or know how she would take them...but if that opportunity presents itself, I will certainly pass along your info to her directly.

      Thank you again for all that you do!

      xoM
      Reply to this
      1. 1/10/2012 7:56 AM Sharon wrote:
        Hey Lia!
        We should connect! We share a lot in common from what I can see! I've definitely been called "rogue" before, and a reverend...oh and I firmly believe that Jesus loves sex workers!

        @Megan, I understand your frustration. Prayer does not seem enough but it is the place to start and my prayer was that many would open their eyes to the horrible injustice being perpetrated on Detroit's sex industry and act! I would say that your call to action in this post is an answer to my prayer! There is more that can be done! I believe it starts with prayer and that we are then activated and equipped for service!

        Much love,
        Sharon <3
        Reply to this
        1. 1/10/2012 9:33 AM Megan Morgenson wrote:
          Love you Sharon! I was thinking of you also when talking about those I admire to Lia. xoxo

          And I agree with you fully! Prayer is needed...prayer can help strengthen the inspiration, which then turns to motivation, and action. IMO, a good pastor emphasizes that also as a part of the "afterglow"(if you will...lol) of a strong prayer service, but I guess when one person drops the ball, it can be the motivation for another to pick it up...

          Love you, and talk soon!

          xoM
          Reply to this
  • 1/12/2012 3:35 PM pumpkin12903 wrote:
    I think it's wonderful that these people prayed with you. That's very needed. But, I do agree that more is needed in these situations. http://murdervictims.proboards.com/index.cgi -this is a message board for the surviving family/friends of murder victims. The majority of the members are survivors of this type. We provide support and information. http://www.pomc.com/ is a group that also provides support and information. They have in-person support groups for survivors also. All survivors of murder victims are welcome. It isn't just for parents who have had their children murdered. I hope this info will help you.
    Reply to this
    1. 1/18/2012 11:47 AM Megan Morgenson wrote:
      Thank you so much for sharing this info!

      xoM
      Reply to this
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