Others have perhaps already mentioned this, but “Frage” in German means “question”, which also seems apt. This is NOT settled. It’s still very much an open question. Not over. Not decided.
Also, at the ELCA church I attended this morning in the Twin Cities, the pastor led with a message of grief, outrage & solidarity about the SCOTUS decision, talked about the official position of the ELCA & the statement of the presiding bishop, & condemned what he called the version of Christianity that led to the decision. Later, the Prayers of Intercession included this petition: “Lord, when your church is in need of rebuke, rebuke it.”
Thank you. I walked into my ELCA church this morning wondering if this topic was going to be broached. Thankfully, I heard words like, -we are not called to be the moral compass of the world. And it is never the right time to impose our religious beliefs on others. That, my Bishop offering to do pro bono same sex marriages, and this post give me hope.
Thank you! Now I have the word to describe how I also feel- Frage! After reading and rereading this I have come to a bit of a softer place to put my rage. Please hear these prayers of us all. Please help me to continue to be able to fight with my actions, my reactions and my art activism. May I not allow myself to feel shamed for being who I am. The triggers of this decision from SCOTUS have me reliving so much of my past. I pray for the fire and the strength to take action.
Jun 26, 2022·edited Jun 27, 2022Liked by Nadia Bolz-Weber
Thank you again for putting words to what so many are feeling. Besides the anger and sadness having to deal with dear friends that are so angry and blaming this on all Christians. Your post help to show we are not all the same and that not all churches, congregations and Christians belive exactly the same. That some of us are hurting and angry and will help no matter what our friends may need us to do and how we will stand arm in arm with them
Thank you for this. The priest who delivered the sermon this morning acknowledged it, but said that he wasn't prepared to talk about it ... especially since he delivered the sermon immediately following Uvalde. I understood where he was coming from. And yet. Not.
Thank you for being such a strong advocate for women and a solid Bible scholar.
Trying to be a nice woman who smooths things over and makes things right makes rage hard to handle. So, don't handle it. Sit with it, feeling the fire- Frage could be fiery rage, too. Let it be your rocket fuel.
This prayer is so remarkable and beautiful. It's been such a weekend of angst and fear and unknown and, and, and, and, and.... so thank you for this prayer. I love the list of women at the beginning; I had forgotten about them as they seem to be in the not-so-known or rarely taught stories. I appreciate your thoughts, words and feelings. And the snacks at the end? Absolutely! Thank you for writing, Nadia. My heart is moved and calmed.
Thank you Nadia. Bless you all & know that we are watching & weeping from afar; not taking our own freedoms for granted. Bless the women & men who will create new "underground rail" networks as my friends did in the 70's. It's so recent. So we remember. Bless all your elders who will be called on to remember & help set up networks to save women.
And I pray today for the adopted ones like me who are pointed out as some golden example - please do not use any adoptee as fodder in Any argument. Thank you Nadia for reminding me of the women who spoke out - especially that Sassy Syro-Pheonician. 💜🙏💜
Thank you for this, and I also pray that those who have been very complacent of our rights, falsely assured that they would never be taken away, will be moved to become more engaged, especially within their own communities to write their representatives, call their women's clinics(if they are fortunate enough to have them) and volunteer to help in anyway they need.
Prayers for those who are now forced to make a choice that is no longer safe and protected, but is now dangerous, life threatening and illegal as it was when I came of age. Prayers for those who have no choice. Prayers for us all as we ask “what next?” Lord in your mercy.
Thank you. I spoke up about my fear and rage and faith and found myself suddenly very alone and very lonely. Surely people I love, who have loved me, raised me, shaped me, were not actually celebrating this horrific news? Were not condemning me as a heretic and ungodly? Grief compounding the grief. And then here you are, sharing the faith I need to draw from, the strength which will sustain me, and the words to guide me while I’m speechless in shock. Thank you. I’m not alone, not at all.
Pastor, I fear for my wife who is black, I fear for my kids as well as her kids, I fear for our grand children and the storm they are growing into, the storm that seeks to destroy all those who society condemns as vile sinners. Even now I fight back tears at the injustice being poured upon women, and the effects this will bring. I fear for those of the LBGTQ community who fear for their freedoms, their rights which may be stripped away by those in power. Pastor, I fear, and I cry yet it seems my prayers hit the ceiling and fall back, pastor I fear, and I worry.
Robert Hogue, I am reaching out to you with my nurse's heart to say I hear your cries of distress and am praying to find a path to help, if by no other means right now than standing up to any and all who call people of color and people of the LGBTQ community as vile sinners. I've done it in the past and I'll continue on the mission of saying that it is an undisputable reality that we are all of God and this very universe, that the way White folks thought 400 years was without reasoning and was unconscionable, and was driven by emerging systems of capitalism. My heart loves and supports all of you even - as Jon Batiste says - "I love ya, even if I don't know ya." Take heart. I am friends with a practicing woman's health care physician who lives in Atlanta, has published books and articles on contraception, which not more than a few decades ago was illegal, is from NYC, and is participating on White House Round Tables in order to define a path of help and support. I look forward to hearing from her. I live in Denver. Repeat, "I love ya, even if I don't know ya." I'm having a very hard time feeling like I could look in the eyes of the women who have sold their own sex as a means of virtue signaling and buying God's favor.
My heart is with you. I am a woman's health care RN with 44 years of experience and who at this moment feels powerless to reach out with a nurse's caring hand towards all of those you have mentioned. I have worked in the city where I have had nothing but good experiences with Black, Latinx, Asian and White folks and the LBGTQ community. I have seen first hand White and Black women die of pregnancy related causes, and babies die from the same. I have assisted women who have had abortions and who were mostly young and poor. Thank you, Pastor Nadia, for saying, "Bless this anger, God, and help to direct it." My heart is sinking right now.
((giant hug)) It seems hollow to say right now, and so cliché, but so many bigger things have been started with small steps and inspiring the many. In my years of nursing I have seen wonderful changes take place in the medical and surgical care of others because someone posed a question about how things could be made better and something grew from there. In obstetrical and neonatal care, I have seen lives saved that may have not been 44 years ago. Be strong and of good courage.
Thank you, this prayer brought tears to my eyes and peace. You reminded me that God is there and not to let the noise of mortals distract me. I have the strength because I am a woman, I never walk alone.
Thank you for all you are in the world. I want to especially thank you for this morning’s prayer. You were able to speak the words in my body, for which I have not been to speak! Blessings and boldness for all the action yet to take place.
Others have perhaps already mentioned this, but “Frage” in German means “question”, which also seems apt. This is NOT settled. It’s still very much an open question. Not over. Not decided.
Also, at the ELCA church I attended this morning in the Twin Cities, the pastor led with a message of grief, outrage & solidarity about the SCOTUS decision, talked about the official position of the ELCA & the statement of the presiding bishop, & condemned what he called the version of Christianity that led to the decision. Later, the Prayers of Intercession included this petition: “Lord, when your church is in need of rebuke, rebuke it.”
Amen.
not settled. love that. thanks for letting me know what it means in German!
In German Frage is pronounced FRA-guh.
Thank you. I walked into my ELCA church this morning wondering if this topic was going to be broached. Thankfully, I heard words like, -we are not called to be the moral compass of the world. And it is never the right time to impose our religious beliefs on others. That, my Bishop offering to do pro bono same sex marriages, and this post give me hope.
Thank you! Now I have the word to describe how I also feel- Frage! After reading and rereading this I have come to a bit of a softer place to put my rage. Please hear these prayers of us all. Please help me to continue to be able to fight with my actions, my reactions and my art activism. May I not allow myself to feel shamed for being who I am. The triggers of this decision from SCOTUS have me reliving so much of my past. I pray for the fire and the strength to take action.
Thank you again for putting words to what so many are feeling. Besides the anger and sadness having to deal with dear friends that are so angry and blaming this on all Christians. Your post help to show we are not all the same and that not all churches, congregations and Christians belive exactly the same. That some of us are hurting and angry and will help no matter what our friends may need us to do and how we will stand arm in arm with them
I got to church this morning and I swear all I could pray was “what do I do with this rage?” After reading this, I feel a little closer to an answer.
Thank you for this. The priest who delivered the sermon this morning acknowledged it, but said that he wasn't prepared to talk about it ... especially since he delivered the sermon immediately following Uvalde. I understood where he was coming from. And yet. Not.
Thank you for being such a strong advocate for women and a solid Bible scholar.
Trying to be a nice woman who smooths things over and makes things right makes rage hard to handle. So, don't handle it. Sit with it, feeling the fire- Frage could be fiery rage, too. Let it be your rocket fuel.
This prayer is so remarkable and beautiful. It's been such a weekend of angst and fear and unknown and, and, and, and, and.... so thank you for this prayer. I love the list of women at the beginning; I had forgotten about them as they seem to be in the not-so-known or rarely taught stories. I appreciate your thoughts, words and feelings. And the snacks at the end? Absolutely! Thank you for writing, Nadia. My heart is moved and calmed.
Frage against the machine! Yes!
Thank you Nadia. Bless you all & know that we are watching & weeping from afar; not taking our own freedoms for granted. Bless the women & men who will create new "underground rail" networks as my friends did in the 70's. It's so recent. So we remember. Bless all your elders who will be called on to remember & help set up networks to save women.
And I pray today for the adopted ones like me who are pointed out as some golden example - please do not use any adoptee as fodder in Any argument. Thank you Nadia for reminding me of the women who spoke out - especially that Sassy Syro-Pheonician. 💜🙏💜
Thank you for this, and I also pray that those who have been very complacent of our rights, falsely assured that they would never be taken away, will be moved to become more engaged, especially within their own communities to write their representatives, call their women's clinics(if they are fortunate enough to have them) and volunteer to help in anyway they need.
Prayers for those who are now forced to make a choice that is no longer safe and protected, but is now dangerous, life threatening and illegal as it was when I came of age. Prayers for those who have no choice. Prayers for us all as we ask “what next?” Lord in your mercy.
amen.
Thank you. I spoke up about my fear and rage and faith and found myself suddenly very alone and very lonely. Surely people I love, who have loved me, raised me, shaped me, were not actually celebrating this horrific news? Were not condemning me as a heretic and ungodly? Grief compounding the grief. And then here you are, sharing the faith I need to draw from, the strength which will sustain me, and the words to guide me while I’m speechless in shock. Thank you. I’m not alone, not at all.
That's so painful. You aren't alone. I promise.
Pastor, I fear for my wife who is black, I fear for my kids as well as her kids, I fear for our grand children and the storm they are growing into, the storm that seeks to destroy all those who society condemns as vile sinners. Even now I fight back tears at the injustice being poured upon women, and the effects this will bring. I fear for those of the LBGTQ community who fear for their freedoms, their rights which may be stripped away by those in power. Pastor, I fear, and I cry yet it seems my prayers hit the ceiling and fall back, pastor I fear, and I worry.
Robert Hogue, I am reaching out to you with my nurse's heart to say I hear your cries of distress and am praying to find a path to help, if by no other means right now than standing up to any and all who call people of color and people of the LGBTQ community as vile sinners. I've done it in the past and I'll continue on the mission of saying that it is an undisputable reality that we are all of God and this very universe, that the way White folks thought 400 years was without reasoning and was unconscionable, and was driven by emerging systems of capitalism. My heart loves and supports all of you even - as Jon Batiste says - "I love ya, even if I don't know ya." Take heart. I am friends with a practicing woman's health care physician who lives in Atlanta, has published books and articles on contraception, which not more than a few decades ago was illegal, is from NYC, and is participating on White House Round Tables in order to define a path of help and support. I look forward to hearing from her. I live in Denver. Repeat, "I love ya, even if I don't know ya." I'm having a very hard time feeling like I could look in the eyes of the women who have sold their own sex as a means of virtue signaling and buying God's favor.
yep.
My heart is with you. I am a woman's health care RN with 44 years of experience and who at this moment feels powerless to reach out with a nurse's caring hand towards all of those you have mentioned. I have worked in the city where I have had nothing but good experiences with Black, Latinx, Asian and White folks and the LBGTQ community. I have seen first hand White and Black women die of pregnancy related causes, and babies die from the same. I have assisted women who have had abortions and who were mostly young and poor. Thank you, Pastor Nadia, for saying, "Bless this anger, God, and help to direct it." My heart is sinking right now.
Thank you seems so very small, but thank you so much!
((giant hug)) It seems hollow to say right now, and so cliché, but so many bigger things have been started with small steps and inspiring the many. In my years of nursing I have seen wonderful changes take place in the medical and surgical care of others because someone posed a question about how things could be made better and something grew from there. In obstetrical and neonatal care, I have seen lives saved that may have not been 44 years ago. Be strong and of good courage.
Thank you, this prayer brought tears to my eyes and peace. You reminded me that God is there and not to let the noise of mortals distract me. I have the strength because I am a woman, I never walk alone.
Never.
Thank you for all you are in the world. I want to especially thank you for this morning’s prayer. You were able to speak the words in my body, for which I have not been to speak! Blessings and boldness for all the action yet to take place.
Needed this SO MUCH. 😭😭😭😭😭