The Power of Womenনমুনা

The Power of Advocating

The weight of advocacy is a journey marked by complex emotions: sadness, anger, misunderstanding, loneliness, and rejection. Whether we advocate for aging parents or children, policy or system changes, or even ourselves, we often carry more weight than we might expect. Advocacy can feel like an uphill battle, where victories are often few and far between.

Honestly, I want to lessen the weight of it all. I want the work of advocacy to be easier. When I reflect on Jesus’ words in Matthew 11, I’m tempted to interpret them as a promise of carefree ease: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV).

Yet, it’s still a yoke. There is still work to be done.

Perhaps Jesus’ message is not about eliminating the work but about making it more bearable because we do it with Him.

Because of His advocacy, I can continue to show up and advocate for those He has placed in my care. I often want God to step in and do the work for me when I feel worn out. But He rarely does what I am capable of doing myself. Instead, He knows when to provide rest and when to encourage me to persevere in doing the possible as He continues to do the impossible. And when I take a moment to pause and reflect, I’m reminded that I am never truly advocating alone. God equips and empowers me, standing beside me in every battle, whispering strength into my spirit when I feel like giving up.

Similarly, the goal of advocacy is not to do for others what they are capable of doing themselves. Instead, advocacy from a Biblical perspective involves speaking up, acting, or interceding on behalf of others to bring justice, compassion, and support where they cannot. It reflects God’s character as a defender of the vulnerable, an advocate for the oppressed, and a source of encouragement and guidance. Advocacy is rooted in love, truth, and righteousness and often includes interceding in prayer and action.

When we practice advocacy, we partner with God in His power, demonstrating His love, truth, and righteousness to the world.

Advocacy is challenging, but it is also a sacred, powerful calling. There is power in using your voice to advocate for those who need it most, even when the weight seems too heavy to bear. When done with love, humility, and relying on God’s power, advocacy reflects the very heart of God—a God who tirelessly advocates for us.

Prayer & Reflection

1. Who are you interceding in prayer and action for?
2. What stories of justice does the Bible share where advocacy was a powerful tool used by God to bring wholeness?
3. How might emotions of sadness, anger, loneliness, and rejection lead us to better serve those whose voices are silenced or who can’t speak up for themselves?

Written by Caiti Spiess