I am a Christian, And on Friday I Joined the Call to Prayer, Here's Why / A.J. Hendry

On Friday our nation joined together in compassion, aroha, and grief. In a time where there is so much division and fear in our world, this was a beautiful moment of unity.

A moment where, regardless of our differing faiths, cultures and beliefs, we stood side by side, joining together as one.

A moment where we stopped focusing on that which divides us, instead recognising each other’s humanity, we united together in our grief, mourning those we have lost.

Yet, there were some who chose to see this – not as moment to show solidarity and love to our Muslim whanau – but as a sign of division.

Brian Tamaki for example denounced the call to prayer, calling it an insult to all true Christians.

His argument was, that such an act by our Prime Minister revealed that we had forgotten our “National identity” and spat in the face of those with a Christian belief.

That statement could not be further from the truth.

What Tamaki, and those who have joined him in condemning Friday’s ceremony missed, is that this wasn’t ever about them.

The national call to prayer we participated in on Friday, was a gesture of compassion and love to members of our whanau who have lost loved ones while worshiping only days ago.

As a Christian I chose to join with my Muslim whanau in this moment of remembrance.

I sat in a crowded café as the prayer rang out, and in the silence that followed sent my own prayer to my God for the families and friends of those we have lost.

I know that I was not the only follower of Jesus who chose to show support for our Muslim whanau in this way.

Tamaki may have assumed to speak for our faith, but he does not represent it.

Jesus taught us to Love one another.

And I saw no greater act of love on Friday than people of all faiths, cultures, and beliefs, standing shoulder to shoulder, in an act of compassion and solidarity with those who have lost so much.

This moment was not something to be feared, nor was it an insult to any other belief system or faith tradition.

It was a time for a nation to come together, and announce to the world, that no matter the hatred, no matter the violence or evil that comes upon us, we will stand united.

We will not allow these ideologies of division to divide us.

For we are one.

Christian’s sometimes forget that it is not our job to control or manipulate the beliefs of others.

It is not our job to make New Zealand a “Christian nation”.

Nor to police what sort of prayers are said here.

Our job is simply to love.

Sadly, those who seek to follow Jesus often overlook the fact that a core element of His life and teaching was the shunning of power and coercive force.

For it is impossible to love one’s neighbour if you are attempting to use compulsion and force in order to make them conform to your own belief system.

A point Christians have too often failed to grasp.

So no, Friday’s call to prayer was not an insult to “all true Christians”. It was an opportunity for us all to model humility and show compassion to those who have suffered.

And for those who seek to follow Jesus, it was an opportunity to practice what Christian’s say they believe.

That to serve, is better than to be served. That to love our Muslim neighbour by joining them in prayer, is better than standing apart from them, and viewing them as other.

I chose to join in the prayer, because I believe that embracing my Muslim whanau in love and compassion, is more important than creating division.

And also, because, I believe that Jesus sees the heart, and thay at the end of the day that He too, would kneel and pray with those who suffer.

Regardless of what faith or belief system they hold on to.

A.J. Hendry