Church Women's Groups and the Empowerment of Women in the Solomon Islands

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State, Society and Governance in Melanesia Project
Australian National University

PRAYER AS PRACTICAL ACTION

Rona Nadile
Ph D Student, Australian National University

Good evening and greetings to you all!

In her concluding remarks to the Sectoral Review on Women and Development in Papua New Guinea (PNG), Mary Soondrawu, who is from the East Sepik Council of Women said, "We need action and not just prayers ... " (Soondrawu 1991: 169). This paper is about prayer as practical action thus, the title of the paper. Before I go on any further, I want to acknowledge God for this insight that God has revealed to Dr Bronwen Douglas to include Christianity in this workshop and more importantly to be thinking about it - the Christian faith, alongside women, culture and change in the South Pacific and particularly the Melanesian states. I do hope that this workshop will not only be thinking and reflecting on the whole subject of women and Christianity but a beginning to tap into this long existing network of Church, Culture and Women - and open up a whole new approach to change in Melanesia.

Some of us may ask this question - What is Prayer? The brief answer is - Prayer is speaking to God. Again we may raise another question - Why pray? And the long answer is - It is required of Christian believers to pray. Jesus said to His disciples in Matthew 26: 41, "Watch and pray that you will not fall into temptation." God can act without prayer, but he has chosen to operate through it. God comes by invitation only and He has committed Himself to answering prayer. Jesus said, "Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours" (Mark 11:24). So speaking to God is being obedient to His requirement to worship Him, thank Him and ask for His help (Fox 1989).

Why do Melanesian Women Pray?

I asked several Melanesian women two questions:

1. Why do you pray?

2. Why do Women's Fellowship Groups pray ?

Some women pray because it is what they have been taught, and have become a routine activity for their families. Their grandparents and parents have always done it so the current generation continue praying as part of their family tradition. Some of the women spoke to said that at first they did not understand or raise any questions about praying or going to church. They just did it because they were brought up in Christian homes and have always practice it like part of their culture or lifestyle. The same is true for the Fellowship Groups, it is the custom or tradition, a proper routine that must take place in the group meetings before moving on to other activities. If they don't pray and study the Bible before going on, than it is considered as not proper fellowship meeting.

Just like in many discipline areas, where there is an increasing intellectual growth amongst Melanesians where more and more people are receiving higher education; there is also I believe, an increasing growth and awareness in the Word of God. More and more women, and more and more church groups are uniting forces. There are more corporate fellowships and prayer meetings, breaking down denominational barriers and traditional church practices. Many more women are joining church fellowship groups and praying more, not because of traditions but because of personal convictions. Some of the other women spoken to said they pray because they believe in God. When asked what they talk to God about they said that they thank Him for many things especially for all His help in providing their daily needs. They also ask God for comfort and strength, for guidance and overcoming problems. When they are feeling down and weak they pray, "Bigman, mekim mi strop." Not only do they pray for themselves but for their families and others, that they too will be helpful to other people.

Others of course doubt and ask questions, Is God really there? The fact is that more women are turning to prayer that the doubters are often encouraged to persevere and keep praying. And because many receive answers to their prayers, their faith increases and so multiply their efforts in praying.

How can Prayer become Practical Action?

Prayer is known among Christian believers as a powerful weapon. Spiritual strongholds and bondages can be broken and people set free. But people must be allowed the freedom to exercise their faith, both within and outside of the church. Some churches remain rigid and traditional while others have changed and become what they called, 'revival and charismatic' types. Whether or not churches are traditional, each should be respected and accepted as they are. In this way, development efforts may then be channelled through the church women network without trying to impose a change on their group structure and their praying activities.

The PNG Women in Development Sector Review (Nakikus, Andrew et al 1991) reported that in 1990, PNG Council of Churches, formerly the Melanesian Council of Churches, has in its seven major church membership, 500,000 members in the seven women's church organisations. This represents over 50% of all women over the age of 15 years in PNG. The United Church alone has a total membership of 80,000. This means that there is vast opportunity for networking through the women's church groups. And if these groups are mobilised for corporate prayer, imagine how much prayer power can be sent up to heaven at any one time? Already in PNG and I believe similar if not same trends are happening in other Melanesian states; that through their networks, non-formal education opportunities are provided in literacy/numeracy skills apart from the traditional programs of nutrition, cooking and sewing. Some of the activities also respond to the needs of vulnerable groups such as, the sick, widows, the handicapped and prisoners. The UNDP Report by Nakikus, Andrew et al (1991: 26) noted that:

The Church is responding to the need for promoting improvement in the quality of life in the communities where they are based. This is not a new thing in PNG, but it is obvious that the increase in the involvement and organization of women's church groups in these activities is significant. The women are being motivated as Christians to address problems in the community, and that Christianity is a uniting force which can enable them to promote community development collectively.

The beauty of prayer is that it cuts across political, church, cultural, gender and socioeconomic boundaries. How much more can one get practical with prayer? According to the Scriptures in James 3: 1417 says that faith must be matched with deeds so that "faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." Prayer is the action, the driving force that speaks to God and causes humanity to respond to the needs of people groups and communities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, prayer is indeed practical action. To the Christian believer, it is not an option, prayer is essential. God has chosen to work through prayer and has committed Himself to answering prayer. It is most encouraging turning point in the history of Christianity in Melanesia today that it should be considered alongside academic thought and research, and issues surrounding women and development. Therefore, it is my hope that AusAID and other external donors would tap into the women's church group networks to greater advantage. Furthermore, I encourage development workers - whether or not you are a Christian, to not be ashamed to work alongside Christian groups.

References

Fox, Gwyneth (1988). Essential English Dictionary, Collins Publishers, Collins, London.

Gass, Bob ( 1998). "The Word for today," Ministries of Stone Mountain, page 59.

International Bible Society, ( 1984). The Holy Bible (NIV), International Bible Society, East Brunswick.

Nakikus, Margaret, Andrew, Marjorie et al (1991). "PNG women in development sector review," UNDP, Page I - 174.