In response to the brutal fires that ravaged Los Angeles and its environs in early January, Pope Francis prayed, “May our Lady of Guadalupe intercede for everyone to be a witness of hope.” How many prayers were said, thought, sung, chanted, read, or drummed as LA burned? Did the prayers help? If so, what makes us think so? And why must we pray when disaster strikes?
Are the gods unaware of our sorrow until we call the deity hotline? And what about other flames? People have tried to pray their same-sex attractions away. Of course, such attractions are good and can lead to life-giving, joyful relationships but apart from that, prayer has an abysmal track record of transforming flaming queens into Mr. Brady – oh, wait – bad example.
Dad Brady was portrayed by flaming queen Robert Reed (well, he was gay anyway). Abraham Heschel wrote, “Prayer cannot bring water to parched fields, or mend a broken bridge, or rebuild a ruined city; but prayer can water an arid soul, mend a broken heart, and rebuild a weakened will.” What exactly is the purpose of prayer, what does it actually accomplish, and what place might it have in a queer person’s life?
