Prayer

Book Review: ‘The Black Trans Prayer Book,’ Co-Edited by J Mase III & Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi

The Black Trans Prayer Book by J Mase III

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


In a world where the enforced norm for life and existence marginalizes all identities that don’t ‘fit,’ identify-affirming practices are a form of life-giving resistance. As a result, ‘The Black Trans Prayer Book’ is a site of life creation and salvific resistance with God by offering interfaith prayers, poems, visual art, and a variety of other spiritual practices, created by Black Trans, Intersex, and Non-Binary authors, that demonstrate the belovedness, sacredness, and blessedness of all people to God, but specifically the people most marginalized by the powers and principalities of this world.

This text is sacred and vital space necessary for the holistic self-care and divine strength necessary for the Spirit-driven transformation work of dismantling white supremacy, racism, homophobia, transphobia, and all of the other violent sins that harm and exclude in our society, toward the evermore creation/embodiment of God’s Kin(g)dom here on our precious and physical earth. Amen



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A Pigeon and God’s Presence

I scratch and crawl

through fatal attempts

at prayer perfection;

seeking the right words

and phrases to crack

the code of Divine Engagement.

But then, a glance

out the window –

the vibrant blue sky and

the awkwardly fluttering pigeon –

I found God

looking at me

deeply and desirously

with an audible hearty chuckle.

The pigeon landed on a telephone wire

and shit without shame

sure of its belonging and being.

And I laughed,

deeply and uproarously,

prayer punctuating the giggles

as I felt God’s gentle caress

to not take myself

too seriously.

But to rest in the seriousness of

God’s love and desire

for me; in my

most basic needs and desires,

without shame,

as with the bumbling and shitting pigeon,

God is present with me.

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Prayer: January 6, 2021

US Capitol

We need you, oh God.

We are flawed and messed up humans who continue to divide and hurt one another.

We beseech you to intervene in the hearts, minds, and bodies of those angry and violent in Washington, and across the country, with the conviction of truth and love.

Help us to rely on your unwavering presence as we seek justice, not violence, through the power of your Spirit.

In your mysterious and loving name.

Amen.

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Inspired by ‘Love (III)’ by George Herbert

adult and child hands holding red heart on aqua background, heart health, donation, CSR concept, world heart day, world health day, family day

God’s love is an open-armed greeting,

but teachings of sin caused me to pull away:

Unworthy.

God stood saddened still, but not stunned,

knowing from the human evil it came:

Control.

God sent an Advocate before I was formed

to be ever-present with me, reminding me:

Love.

God demonstrated to my heart, helping me

to see the wrong in ecclessial espoused self-hate:

Healing.

God extended means of Grace, and I retreated

drowning in family, culture, and church:

Tradition.

God persisted, loving without condition

and inviting me into the Love abundance:

Experience.

God led me to encounter texts and people

with different messages and teachings

coaxing my brain where my heart wasn’t ready:

Reason.

God opened my eyes to read and interpret

in holistic and healing ways:

Scripture.

God encountered my in God’s love through

self-love, neighborly love, and love of enemy –

a least-of-these love:

Calling.

And God’s call was to teach and to love

as a conduit of God’s love in the world:

Disciple.

Amen.

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