“Speaking Truth is so relevant to our current situation. It speaks to people where there are in profound ways. There are solemn, contemplative devotions and prayers, as well as joyful, light-hearted messages,” says Rev. Jen Tyler, who is one of the editors and authors of the recently published, Speaking Truth: Women Raising Their Voices in Prayer.

Speaking Truth is a resource as we together fight the pandemic health crisis. Many of us are struggling with meeting the basic needs of everyday life, loneliness, isolation, and loss. As people of faith, we are guided by the Holy Spirit to work together to deal with life, to build on the foundation Christ laid for the beloved community of God on earth.

Rev. Jen Tyler, serving Evergreen UMC in Wahpeton, ND, is one of the authors of Speaking Truth, available now online.

Four Dakotas Conference clergy are contributors to the recent publication, Speaking Truth: Women Raising Their Voices in Prayer. The four are Rev. Quaya Ackerman, who serves the United Methodist Church in Arthur, North Dakota, Rev. Sara McManus who serves Flame of Faith United Methodist Church in Fargo, North Dakota, Rev. Sara Nelson, who serves at First United Methodist Church in Watertown, South Dakota, and Rev. Jen Tyler, serving at Evergreen United Methodist Church in Wahpeton, North Dakota. Tyler served on the editing team for the publication and is listed as one of the lead authors.

This book is written by women and encourages each of us to join together to speak and act in new ways in response to the increasing challenges of our day. The writers of Speaking Truth greet these challenges knowing that the Good News of Jesus Christ is bigger than any problem we may face. 

The publication is organized into five sections of devotions and prayers: finding voice, cultivating peace, facing loss, transforming criticism, and living gratitude. “These are areas in our lives that we all need support with and face real-life issues. It is about supporting you and your walk through life as it happens. The prayers and devotions are written based on real experiences. They are authentic and from the heart,” says Tyler.

Speaking Truth has encouragement for a diverse audience. “There are voices for various theological perspectives, a variety of ages, educational backgrounds, and cultures,” says Tyler. 

This is the second publication for Tyler, Nelson, and McManus. The women contributed as authors to We Pray with Her: Encouragement for All Women Who Lead. Tyler served on the editing team for We Pray with Her. The writers for the book are all female clergy under the age of 40.

There is a real need to face issues in the world, and in the church, through prayers, devotions, and scriptures. There are moments in life that find and claim each of us, leaving us with no words to speak to God. Tyler says, “There are prayers and words for times in our lives when we don’t always have the words to pray.”

Ackerman, McManus, and Nelson are authors for the living gratitude section. “I wrote about giving and the generosity of women. How we support each other in leading and living out our faith as clergy, leaders of organizations, and neighbors,” says McManus. “It’s a joy to share, to be part of a project that is a support for women clergy and so many others.”

Nelson says that she been using the devotions and prayers in the book daily. “It is right for our time. A time when there is so much uncertainty,” she says. Nelson contributed to the living gratitude section. “I wrote about how the apostle Paul reminds us to be grateful.”

Ackerman appreciated how Speaking Truth addresses hurt and discrimination experienced by many. “I wrote about the need to love ourselves and forgive,” she says. Ackerman says that a lot of people deal with discrimination and hurt by harboring resentment. “We need to forgive and come to the Lord.”

“We can support both ourselves and other women as we learn to find and claim our voices and end the silences imposed upon us even though this is a book written from a female perspective. It really speaks to everyone,” says Tyler.

Purchase the book from Cokesbury here. 
Purchase Speaking Truth from Amazon here.