Prayer Stations
Set up each station using separate tables. Cover tables with cloths. Place framed printout of the prayer theme, scripture and instructions on each table. You may need to use more than one frame per table. You can purchase inexpensive frames from the Dollar Tree.
Station One: Pray for Victims of Injustice
“And will not God bring about justice for His chosen ones who cry out to Him day and night? Will He keep putting them off? I tell you; He will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:7, 8 NIV)
Materials Needed:
Justice scale (can be purchased inexpensively from Amazon), large rocks and permanent markers. Ahead of time, separate large rocks into two groups. Write on one set of rocks various forms of injustice. Keep the other set of rocks plain, as they will be written on by the women. Place the injustice rocks on one side of the scale (yes, the scale will tip.) Place the plain rocks on the table.
Instructions:
The rocks on the scale represent various forms of injustice in our world today. Injustice is anything that strips God’s beloved creation of dignity, respectability and hope. It is the denial of basic human rights and needs. Notice how these injustice rocks tip the scale. Injustice is a heavy burden that tips the scale of humanity causing an imbalance of power.
Write a keyword as you pray for victims and survivors of injustice on one of the blank rocks. Place your rock on the opposite side of the scale and realize that our prayers make a difference in the lives of those who have been oppressed. Be assured that as God hears our prayers, He begins to tip the scale of justice and brings favor to those whom He loves. Some examples of keywords: Victims, Survivors, Healing, Justice, Salvation, Families, Youth, Resources, Protection, Deliverance, Freedom.
Station Two: Pray for Violators of Justice
“Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God” (Prov. 14:31 NIV).
Materials Needed:
Newspapers or Internet article printouts pertaining to issues of injustice. Have markers, highlighters, bowl with individual packages of Sour Patch Kids candy.
Instructions:
Choose an article that reports on any injustice. If the article makes mention of a specific person or system that has caused some form of injustice, pray for them. As you eat the Sour Patch Kids candy, consider that our initial reaction to injustice and its accomplices is one of shock and sadness. It simply leaves a sour taste in our mouths. As the initial shock wears off, ask God to help you pray for those who knowingly or unknowingly caused injustice to those around them. This is probably the hardest part of seeking justice … praying for our enemies. Consider that the candies represent those who violate justice. Pray for their conviction of sin, interceding for them as people whom God loves. Jesus tells us to pray for those who persecute you/others (Matthew 5:44b). Write out a brief prayer for the “violator of injustice” on or next to the article. What to pray for: conviction of heart, broken family, salvation, justice, repentance.
Station Three: Pray for Victory over Injustice.
“Learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, plead for the widow” (Isa. 1:17).
Materials Needed:
Pre–addressed note cards to various local organizations, community leaders and law enforcement, pens.
Instructions:
Pray for those who are doing the work of social justice. It requires the commitment of many who would stand firmly in the gap for victims of injustice. Your community is made up of many organizations and government branches that work towards bringing hope to victims and survivors. It is important that we seek the power of God on their behalf for wisdom, provision and the prevailing of justice. Just as Jesus intercedes for us to the Father, we too are called upon to intercede for those who will do justice’s bidding. Take time to write out a prayer to local organizations in your community. Your Corps Officer will mail them. What to pray for: Community Organizations, Law Enforcement, Local Political Leader, World Leaders, Community Leaders, Volunteers, Law makers/laws and policies, Justice.
Station Four: Pray for a Voice Against Injustice. What Can I Do?
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8, NIV).
Materials Needed:
The “I’ll Fight” video from https://youtu.be/FYjjXw03X5o (by The Salvation Army Australia), basket with LED tea lights, markers, various pictures of injustice as mentioned in “I’ll Fight.” If unable to play video, have a framed copy of “I’ll Fight” on the table.
2nd optional video: “I’ll Fight” by Jennifer Hudson from the motion picture “RBG” https://youtu.be/ho0aVZHQnNM
Instructions:
Watch the video (or read the words) “I’ll Fight.” Fighting the war on injustice has been the hallmark and rallying cry of The Salvation Army since the beginning. If there has ever been a time when we need the light of God taken into the darkness, it’s now. On the table there are LED tea lights. Being a voice that stands against injustice means that you are willing to go into the darkness with the liberating light of God and His truth.
Prayerfully ask God to grant you courage to speak up and to take action when you witness injustice. Choose a tea light, write your name on it, and turn it on as a symbol of your commitment to stand against the darkness of injustice. Leave your light on the table to be joined with others making the same commitment. After the program, take the light with you as a reminder. What to pray for: Courage, Discernment, Opportunities, Wisdom, Humility, one another, resources, God’s leading, and to trust in God with endurance and persistence.
Praying with Persistence in Pursuing Justice
Several years ago, the word PUSH became a well-known acronym to encourage believers to “Pray Until Something Happens.” While the acronym is new, the sentiment behind it is not. I imagine that if Jesus was telling the disciples the parable of the persistent widow today, He could have given each of them one a fabric PUSH bracelet. (These are available at some Bible bookstores.) But instead of using a fancy acronym, He simply summed up the truth behind it through this story.
Read Luke 18:1-8.
It’s important to note that Jesus was inclined to share parables of people whose lives appeared to have every odd stacked against them. We know enough about this woman to know that life did not deal her the best hand. She faced several challenges: she was a woman, a widow, and financially destitute. Her adversaries were probably her creditors coming after her to collect on a debt. If she had sons, they would be taken from her in order to become slaves as payment of her debt. This would only add to her suffering because they would not be able to work to support her financially. To make matters worse, the key to her freedom was in the hands of a corrupt judge who had no fear of God or care for man.
Though things were bleak in this widow’s life, there appeared to remain a glimmer of hope that woke her up every morning and set her on the path of seeking justice. The Bible tells us that for some time the widow’s requests were denied. But even in her fragile and powerless state she was an example of strong persistent faith. Instead of losing hope or becoming faint of heart with each rejection, she managed to persist in her request. It was her faith that would not allow her to give up. It was her faith that caused her to believe that the judge’s “no” that day could very well be a “yes” the next day. Perhaps the faith that was stirred up in her caused her to see justice coming up over the horizon. And as they say: “persistence pays off.” The corrupt judge soon grew tired of the widow’s persistence to the point that it wore down his resistance. Did you catch that? Her persistence wore down his resistance! And he finally granted her justice. If she didn’t “PUSH” perhaps she may have never known the experience of justice.
Jesus points out to the disciples that if the corrupt judge could grant justice, wouldn’t God who isn’t corrupt bring about justice for His chosen ones who cry out to Him day and night? Even Paul describes God as a loving Father who lovingly gives good gifts to those who ask Him (Matt. 7:11).
God desires that we always seek Him especially in times of great need. Perhaps you feel that the odds are stacked against you or even that justice is out of reach. Maybe like the persistent widow, you have experienced a delay in your desire for justice. But as we are reminded to not give up. Galatians 6:9 says we are not to grow weary in well doing (seeking justice, answers to prayer), for in His time we will receive the blessings God has for us, if “we faint not.”’ So, PUSH, sisters! Don’t give up!
