NOTES FOR THE SPEAKER (To be given to your speaker)

‘LET JUSTICE PREVAIL’

Thank you for accepting an invitation to speak at a Women’s World Day of Prayer service. This year the service comes from Malaysia and will be celebrated on March 2nd.

Introduction

The background information at the beginning of the order of service states that Malaysia, in Southeast Asia, is a country of contrasts. This is true at many levels – its modern cities and the widespread use of the latest technology provide a contrast to the remote areas where people follow a traditional way of life; some people have become very rich since World War II when the country suffered brutal occupation under the Japanese, while others are desperately poor and marginalised; tourists who flock to Malaysia for its beautiful scenery and fascinating variety of wildlife feel safe because crimes are harshly punished, whereas the poorer inhabitants experience injustice, greed and corruption; some women achieve a high level of education and are represented in many important professions, while women of all races and classes still face powerlessness, discrimination and violence at all levels of society. Malaysia is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country. The official religion is Islam with a Christian minority of 8%, many of whom live in Sabah and Sarawak.

The Theme - Let Justice Prevail

The women who have prepared our service for 2012 have written it against this complex background. In their Christian context they have had to deal with the theme sensitively. We need to study the words of the service carefully and ask ourselves what the women are really saying to us. What message do they want us to draw from the service? What is the challenge which they have presented to us? Let Justice Prevail – how can we make this a reality in the unfair world in which we live?

The Greeting

At the beginning of the service we are asked to share in the Malaysian greeting: Selamut Datang – peace and welcome. This greeting is a daily reminder for the women of Malaysia that harmony as a nation is rooted in peace and welcome. We learn that the diverse people of their country are learning to live together in a spirit of tolerance and understanding. The 1st Voice of Malaysia reminds us on p5 that fair and just governance is the basis for peace and harmony in the social order.

Voices seeking justice in Malaysia

The ideal of peace and harmony is undermined by corruption and greed and it is distorted when voices for truth and justice are silenced. What should we do in this situation? Voice 1 asks on p7 ‘Do we engage or stay neutral?’ Voice 2 answers ‘We have come to understand that God calls us to be righteous citizens of our country. So we do have a role to play by speaking out against all forms of injustice’. Here is an immediate challenge for us.

Habakkuk 1:2-4, 1:5, 3:2, 3:17-19

The writers of our service have chosen verses from the prophet Habakkuk to help us to grapple with the theme. Habakkuk was writing around 610-588 BC. He was greatly troubled by the desperate conditions around him and complained bitterly to God because justice was not prevailing and corruption was rife. God answers with the assurance that something astonishing was about to happen. If we read beyond v5 we will discover that the astonishing thing was in fact that the Babylonians were getting ready to attack. Chapter 1:13 shows that the prophet struggled to understand why God kept silent while the wicked appeared to thrive. The prophet could not see any resolution to the current situation or to the awfulness of what lay in the future but he did find assurance in his relationship of trust with God. Whatever happened, God could be trusted and that gave Habakkuk cause for rejoicing.

The commentator on p11 speaks of the persistence which is rooted in our relationship with God. This is tested and made stronger by the questions and complaints we bring to him.

Luke 18:1-8

The parable from St Luke’s Gospel goes on to illustrate the point made by the commentator. It is perhaps one of the more difficult of Jesus’ parables. Does it mean that God will give in to our continual nagging in our prayers just to get rid of us? This is not the compassionate Father shown to us by Jesus in the Gospels. It is true that he urges us not to give up too easily when we pray because prayer can do wonderful things (Mk 11: 22-24) but we are not to fear that he might ever get tired of our prayers. The parable puts the emphasis on the widow who is commended for her persistence in working for justice. It encourages us to confront unjust powers and never to give up in our demand for justice.

Life Experiences

The parable comes to life in the story of a woman who fought for the cause of justice in Malaysia. The story demonstrates that boldly and bravely speaking out for justice for the weak and the abused can bring about change. This is followed by examples of women who were not afraid to speak out for equality for women in our own land.

Prayers

The prayer ‘For courage to do justice’, (p15) written by anti-apartheid activist Alan Paton, urges us to have the courage to see what each individual can do. Each of the prayers of intercession on pgs18-19 is followed by the strong refrain: Hear our prayer and let justice prevail.

The Challenge

The challenge to all who take part in this service is clear: it takes courage, compassion and active engagement to let justice prevail. As Christians we are called to act to bring about change in the unjust world in which we live today. The change may not happen quickly but we must never give up the struggle.

For more information see:
Background leaflet, Bible study leaflet