Name-Calling, and Naming Names

Moms tend to keep lists, of many things. I’ve had a long list of names–112 to be precise–printed out and moved from surface to surface in my office for a couple months now. This list was compiled by a mother, who asked for other moms in our group to add names and a few details to go along with the name, for the purpose of prayer.

I suppose many would dis, dismiss and name-call such women as Karens. Whatever that means. Maybe they would even call child protective services on moms like that.

But I felt inclined to print it out awhile back, and to attempt to pray over each name on the list.

How can one meaningfully pray for 112 strangers, and additionally, the names of their mothers?

I don’t know.

And perhaps, that is why I kept moving the four-page list all around for so long.

It felt daunting.

Behind each of these names, there is a story. And I guarantee you, it is a story of deep pain and sorrow for all involved.

I thought of Schindler’s list, and I thought of the old MASH series when there were “incoming…incoming wounded…”

I went to bed quite early…7:30 to be precise…because I just couldn’t take any more in my own, personal battles for the day. And then, I kept awaking every couple hours or so. In the most recent round of wakefulness, I got up and went into my office. And seeing the list, I thought…this is what I am to do now.

Now, in this watch of the nighttime, in this darkness.

I took the list and my phone/light and began walking out back through the dark all the way out to where my lambs are. There are a couple of chairs out there, under the trees, and often I have sat there during various hours of day or night to rest, pray and listen.

As I walked through the midnight-ish silence and wetness on the grass, I was listening to Proverbs. I had turned to my bible audio at some point before getting up from bed, restless….and it was in the book of Proverbs.

As I reached the chairs, I heard from my phone, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run to it, and are saved.” (Proverbs 18:10)

And then I sat there, using my light to browse over the names. I thought, I just need “to-do” this list. To mention aloud before God, these names submitted by many moms to a mom that took time to assemble a master list (to that point) and distribute it, for prayer.

It’s the least I can do.

And so, I began…

Please help _______ to know that she is a girl.

Please help _______ to know that he is a boy.

If you notice, there were only five mentions for boys to know that they are boys. And I did put those at the bottom, just to visually show, not that this represents the exact order of the list.

So that’s a ratio of 107 girls out of 112 total young people, who are confused about whether they are a girl.

107 girls who are in some stage of believing (or desisting, thankfully) the lie that they were born in the wrong body.

This is a small glimpse into the situation, truly.

But for tonight, these names–and the darkness comes first to steal one’s name–have been mentioned aloud before the King, that He would act on their behalf.

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