For Lent this year we read and discussed two books that deal with the reality of having bodies, as we approach Holy Week and Easter when Jesus Christ’s embodiment becomes so important in our core holy story. IRREVERENT PRAYERS (2024) is a book in which two Episcopal priests share their experience with serious illness. Most of the book consists of candid, often dark, sometimes funny prayers about the experience of illness and treatment. MY BODY IS NOT A PRAYER REQUEST: DISABILITY JUSTICE IN THE CHURCH (2022) is a book examining unintentional ableism in churches, Christian theology and language, and exploring how Christian communities could turn towards disability justice. Some folks read one book, some read both; we read them in parallel, discussing both in each session, and found a lot of thematic overlap.
Our group, which included disabled and non-disabled folks and people who have experienced or are living with serious illness, found both the books and the conversations incredibly rich. Irreverent Prayers opened up new terrain for conversation with God. Participants said, “I limited myself in how I prayed… you don’t allow yourself to think like that.” They noted the authority and vulnerability of reading prayers like this written by two priests. We talked about praying more honestly, and feeling more present and connected in prayer.
My Body Is Not A Prayer Request raised our awareness of our own ableism, not only for non-disabled folks but also for our disabled members, who sometimes feel shame, frustration, and anger at not meeting their own expectations of what they “should” be able to do. We talked about the fear of not being valued or seen as fully human and worthy of care and respect, and the ways church communities may unintentionally communicate those messages. In our final session, one member said, “At least one person in every parish should read this book.”
Overall, we found both books to be beautiful, painful, and honest. People spoke about the reassurance of knowing “it’s not just you” – with those experiences, those feelings, those angry or weary prayers. There was a sense of lifting of shame and isolation, in getting to know these authors, and of discovering that it’s OK to be angry or discouraged. You don’t always have to be seeking silver linings and silencing your difficult emotions and experiences.
One member wrote this lovely reflection: “As someone with multiple disabilities who often feels alone with them, I found the books we read in the Lent study group really thought-provoking. The authors’ words were raw, honest, and true. They really resonated and sparked new thoughts in me about how I as a disabled individual fit into our church community and into the wider group of non-disabled folks who make up the rest of the world that I circulate within. I am hopeful that the thoughts and conversations about the books that the study group shared will help me make changes in how I consider my own disability. The group I shared the books with will also have the opportunity to expand the consciousness of our wider congregation and community. Everyone has a place on this earth, no matter what our experience with our bodies and abilities are if we can think of each other as worthy and loved by God.”