Introduction

Racism has been an integral part of the Church for the longest time. It still is! This is in spite of the fact that our general reaction, particularly the victim's, to racism is one of revulsion and intolerance. The following statement is typical,

Introduction

Background
John Mbiti, in the opening line of his book, 'African Religions and Philosophy' says simply, 'Africans are notoriously religious'. Little surprise therefore, that reading the ninth edition of his 'The Interesting Narrative of the life of Olaudah Equiano or Gustavus Vassa, the African', one sees that this is a deeply religious man.

This theological reflection is about one of the key aspects of the Christian life: prayer. What is prayer? What does it mean to pray?

In a biblical sense, 'Prayer' can be summed up in three words: 'entreat', 'intercede' and 'worship'. Let me break it down a little more. To entreat means to 'ask earnestly, beg, implore'. Sometimes the word 'supplicate' is used instead of 'entreat', and that means to 'beg humbly'. To intercede means to 'plead in favour of, to mediate'. To worship means to adore, love and admire.