Urgent Plea for Prayer: Days 13 – 17

I did a live Periscope video today because I have had so much on my mind. Too much to write in a post. I simply needed to talk. I had to do something to release the weight that has been packing on figuratively and literally. Yes, I am one of the many who emotionally eats, and lately, I have been eating regularly without limits trying to process the weight of the world and it has transferred to my life. I digress.

I have so much on my mind. This is why I pray. This is why I wrote Urgent Plea for Prayer a small 31-day devotional and prayer guide. Nothing deep. It was written to remind people to pray for the urgency that is all around, and that we pray continuously. While some people are praying for financial breakthroughs, reconciliation of family and friends, new jobs, healing of a sinus infection, the purchase of a new house or car…all areas that one should pray. I, on the other hand, am choosing to pray for the social ills, and concerns of this world.

I am trying not to get angry or become too frustrated for those are distractions keeping me from praying in the presence of the Lord. I am trying hard not to become filled with hate because having hate will keep me from the presence of God. I am choosing to pray by lifting all the concerns that are before us.

Everything is political as I have shared many times before. Today is no different.

#TakeTheKnee has become a movement that is causing some on today within the NFL to consider charging the players a fine, suspending them for a time, or considering them to be eligible to be terminated from their job. While some are cheering this possibility dare I alert those of us who are citizens of The United States of America that our rights are being tested. Today it’s the NFL, and tomorrow it could be you. Here in America, we have the protection of the US Constitution and in this case our first amendment rights. Yet, this is currently at stake.

I have so much on my mind. Therefore, I pray. ~ Tweetable @GailDudley #PrayerfullySavvy

To hear the president of The United States of America somewhat joke about the vice president wanting to hang my LGBTQ friends and family including those I do not know makes me grieve. I am a believer of Jesus. I love Him and I know He loves me. And…I stand for the rights of everyone. Reading this headline caused me to bow my head and pray for the protection of the LGBTQ community. No one has a right to incite violence upon another regardless of race, sex, age, demographics, nationality, and all the other twelve characteristics of culture.

I have so much on my mind. Therefore, I pray.

#MeToo! Women sharing across social media with the hashtag “Me Too” has me in tears. With hesitation, I too posted #MeToo. I too have been sexually harassed. Mine was during my teenage years. I am a swimmer and raced competitively. I was taken advantage of by my then swim coach. It did not go too far, but it went far enough with his touch. Well, rethinking those words, “What’s too far?” I touch was far enough. The advance was far enough. The uneasiness I felt during that touch caused me to make my way to the girl’s locker room with hopes I would be safe. I stayed in what I felt was a safe space until I knew my parents were there to pick me up. I lost my vigor to race. I will never forget ending my dream to be the first black female swimmer to win the Olympics. I was on my way breaking records in three strokes. I blamed myself for being somewhat physically developed in a one-piece race swimsuit. I stayed away from swimming until a few years ago. I am now 52. Simone Manuel winning the gold medal in swimming gave me such joy. Her amazing swim reminded me of my dream to have won the gold…a dream I gave up after being sexually harassed. I was a teenager when this happened. The impact is real. It caused post-traumatic stress for me and kept me away from the sport I loved for years. I give a standing ovation to all the women and girls who are taking a stand. They are being bold, brilliant, and brave by sharing their story.

I have so much on my mind. Therefore, I pray.

#PuertoRico needs clean water, food, and power! Where’s the clean water, food, and power? Where’s the help? The power grid is still not functioning. Sewage plants are not functioning. Hospitals are without electricity. The death toll is continuing to rise. It has been more than three weeks since Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico and yet they are still asking for help. They need us. They need us now.

I have so much on my mind. Therefore, I pray.

I am starting to wonder if prayer is enough.

SO MUCH ON MY MIND. Therefore, I pray.

What about you?