PROTEST IS PRAYER
- Karen Levi
- Mar 22
- 3 min read
I have spent the last four Saturday mornings, not at Shabbat worship, but protesting Elon Musk. The peaceful demonstrations are aptly called Tesla Takedowns. Participation is increasing weekly. The spirited actions are sponsored by Indivisible.
Protest is an intention, an action inspired by one's conscience or values. Prayer is an intentional effort, usually to a higher power. Prayer is a request to alter or prevent a bad situation or to be thankful for ones blessings. Protest is an action to end a harmful situation or focus on a positive movement.
I do not suggest that protest should be substituted for spiritual practice. Voicing one's disapproval of injustice demands commitment and meaningful expression, similar to a spiritual practice. Intentionality, mindfulness, and focus characterize prayer as well as protest. Prayer seeks divine intervention while protest advocates dissent and the pursuit of justice by the people. The power of praying among a group can be palpable; think of moments of silence that are called during times of crisis or tragedy. Protest creates energy which causes more people to join or be aware as they pass by or watch an event on television or phones. Prayer instills power over adversity as one or many act on a situation in whatever way is possible. Protest, too, is a joint action to highlight evil, corruption, and injustice. Both prayer and protest shine a light on the need for change.
Particularly in this country, prayer and protest have occurred simultaneously in the fight for human rights. In 1768, a day of fasting and prayer was declared to protest British presence in Boston. The civil rights movement of the 1960's frequently used prayer in speeches at major events. The Christian right has done the same.
Keith Hebden, in his book "Reenchanting the Activist-- "When we recognize God in one another and in the space between us, our acts of violence become weightier, and our goodness becomes relational rather than legal." Mr. Hebden was supporting a protest movement by activist Christians in England which highlighted climate change.
Silent prayer and protest embolden individuals to express disapproval for governmental or corporate policies which lead to violence, hunger, and environmental damage. Both are powerful actions which shed a light for one person, a group, or an entire country on injustice. The practice of silent vigils as protest originated from the Quakers in the 17th century. "The spirit moves you," was used first by the Quakers. It has become a common idiom, meaning one feels inclined or compelled to do something. For example--I am horrified that a billionaire, not elected by the people, has become the most powerful (or second most powerful) individual in the U.S. government and acts outside the law. My values of fairness, compassion, legality, and democracy have been assaulted. I express my dissatisfaction through private prayer for our country; public, peaceful protest; signing petitions; contacting representatives; and boycotting companies that support illegality. My spirit has moved me.
The Old Testament (the Torah for the Jewish people) contains numerous references to protest. Abraham's negotiation with God to spare Sodom and Gomorroh (Gen. 18) is among the best known.
Proverbs 31: 8-9 says, "Speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute." This line speaks to prayers for those less fortunate than ourselves, found in all religions. The proverb takes me to Martin Luther King and Mahatma Ghandi's huge protest movements of the 20th century. Both men embodied spiritual or prayerful protest.
In conclusion, the words of Martin Luther King inspire prayerful wishes and protest: "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."
©Karen Levi 2025
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