by Abisayo Muhammad
Where would the world be without the love and support of our sisters? And where would she be without her prayers?
Whether Christian, Muslim or other; more and more sisters attribute personal and professional achievements to starting the day with God in prayer groups and morning inspiration each morning.
In Islam, praying five times a day starts before dawn as we are taught that prayer is equal to success. Christians and other faiths also believe in morning worship and prayer throughout the day. It’s only fitting that so many spiritual groups and prayer lines impact how women go about our day.
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The pandemic left many unsure, but it also created a necessity for women, in particular, to call on God for the survival of ourselves, our families and our future. This also gave many an opportunity to use social media outlets such as Clubhouse, Facebook groups and online conference calls to connect spiritually with others. These outlets became the ‘go-tos’ to seek needed communication from small groups that normally would meet in person but provided a virtual experience that continues for some even today.
Every morning preschool teacher and church advocate Iymn Burton seeks out several morning worship groups she finds inspirational and helpful to start her day. She believes women who wake up to prayer get direction for unanswered questions, divine protection and spiritual intervention that is needed in this time.
“Prayers have made a difference in my life tremendously!” Ms. Burton said. “Prayer gives me stability and assists with daily situations instead of being bogged down with the cares of life. Prayers are very essential in the day and time we are living in. I have been taught over the years, much prayer, much power, little prayer, little power. No prayer, no power,” she said.
Student Minister Robert D. Muhammad and his wife Sister Yreva of Grand Rapids were inspired by the Muslim prayer line to develop the Unity Fajr Prayer Line in 2008. This line was initially designed to encourage the local group to keep up prayer and study as young Muslims every day. Today, Sis. Yreva Muhammad continues the success of the prayer line after the passing of her husband. There are several cohosts, including Zorah Muhammad and Maria Muhammad from Detroit, Rachel X from New York and Barbara Muhammad from Jacksonville, Fla.
Steven Muhammad of Philadelphia, a participant and supporter of the unity Fajr Prayer Line, believes in the value of the leadership of the sisters who lead in the line. “One of the most beautiful things I’ve ever witnessed is to hear the beautiful voices of Black women-Sisters, leading the prayer in a nearly flawless Arabic and pure heart,” he said.
Over the past few years, as many have lost loved ones and others continue to struggle with health challenges, another prayer line was started by Sis. Jacqueline X and other sisters titled, “Prayer is Better Than Sleep! MGT Fajr Prayer Line.” Since 2017, four days a week—every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday—they join and invite believing women across the Nation of Islam to rise for prayer recited in English and Arabic. Organizers include Sis. Jacqueline X of Harford, Conn., Sis. Anna Muhammad of Springfield, Mass., Sis. Nichelle Muhammad of New York and Sis. Katabba Muhammad of Meredith, Conn.
“During the pandemic, it has been not just inspirational, but it’s really helped because we had that period of time where we weren’t coming out, so it kept us connected and was a source of comfort for a lot of sisters,” said Sis. Anna.
“We came together as a desire to have prayer early in unity at 5:00 a.m. together as a sisterhood,” Sis. Jacqueline said. “We thank Allah, Who appeared in the Person of Master Fard Muhammad, for the Most Honorable Elijah Muhmmad and the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan,” she added.
“The (prayer) call is in the spirit of these two men and of course by giving praise and supplication to Almighty God Allah for them. They are the inspiration.”
We know through scripture that the prayers of the righteous availeth much. It also appears that the common phrase about the “power of a praying woman” proves true.
Min. Farrakhan recently tweeted, “I pray that women, no matter who they are, will come together and work together to make a mark that says a new world is coming in and it’s coming in through women.”
Abisayo Muhammad, a former Final Call staffer, is an entrepreneur, a mother and first lady of Benton Harbor, Mich. Sister Space is devoted to amplifying the voices of women as well as telling their stories and highlighting their accomplishments.
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