Welsh hosts Johnson to speak on women, cultural prayer
By LAUREN BECK
News Writer
Christian women pray much differently than do men, based on their upbringing and societal roles, according to Chandra Johnson.
Johnson, assistant to the University president, led a discussion on Wednesday night in Welsh Family Hall entitled "The Many Voices of Prayer: A Cultural Experience." Johnson spoke to the all-female audience about the experiences of women in Scripture and the ways women today can apply them in their lives.
As a woman, Johnson said she often feels "wired to take care of other people. Who, though, takes care of me?"
She finds comfort through prayer and reflection on God's relationship with women.
"There is no predicament too difficult that God can't enter in and show us the glory inside of ourselves," she said.
She urged women to recognize and take time out from the distractions in their lives to interact with God on a daily basis.
"Steeped within our being that voice is there and is audible regardless of the predicament. Don't discount that sense of right, that peacefulness, that well spring of grace inside of you," said Johnson.
She then compared God to an inner strength she encounters even in the midst of pain and suffering.
Johnson specifically cited the stories of Hagar and Mary as examples of women in the Bible interacting with God.
"These two women prayed as a result of a life change, as a result of wanting to find God," she said.
Both Biblical figures were faced with immense challenges but remained strong and "used their own particular faith in a way that gives a glimpse as to what struggles were experienced then and how to interpret this in the 21st century."
Like many women in scripture, "Hagar and Mary appear to be subservient but allow themselves to be empowered co-agents of faith," Johnson said. She views their stories as "powerful depictions of two women whose lives were changed, who were not in control, but who changed the course of history and led others to God through their trials."
"Our prayer must be as personal as Hagar's and as praiseful as Mary's," Johnson said. "Like these women, through prayer we too can move on with our lives, be affirmed, and hear God."
Johnson concluded the talk with her belief that women are rising into positions of leadership in the Catholic Church. As this occurs she sees a need for more positive role models for women and she looks to the Bible to find them.
"These are women just like us — and their stories are powerful."
All News Stories for Thursday, March 1, 2001
