My Body Is Not a Prayer Request: Disability Justice in the Church
Ebook
Overview
How Christian Communities Can Better Engage Disability Justice
Much of the church has forgotten that we worship a disabled God whose wounds survived resurrection, says Amy Kenny. It is time for the church to start treating disabled people as full members of the body of Christ who have much more to offer than a miraculous cure narrative and to learn from their embodied experiences.
Written by a disabled Christian, this book shows that the church is missing out on the prophetic witness and blessing of disability. Kenny reflects on her experiences inside the church to expose unintentional ableism and cast a new vision for Christian communities to engage disability justice.
Offering a unique blend of personal storytelling, fresh and compelling writing, biblical exegesis, and practical application, this book invites readers to participate in disability justice and create a more inclusive community in church and parachurch spaces. Engaging content such as reflection questions and top-ten lists are included.
”A convincing case for all Christians to do more to meet access needs and embrace disabilities as part of God’s kingdom. . . . Inclusivity-minded Christians will cheer the lessons laid out here."--Publishers Weekly
”A book the church desperately needs."--Sojourners
From the Back Cover
Midwest Book Review 2023 Silver Book Award (Nonfiction - Religion/Philosophy)
How Christian Communities Can Better Engage Disability Justice
Much of the church has forgotten that we worship a disabled God whose wounds survived resurrection, says Amy Kenny. In My Body Is Not a Prayer Request, she exposes unintentional ableism in the church and casts a new imagination for Christian communities to engage disability justice. Kenny shows that it is time for the church to start treating disabled people as full members of the body of Christ who have much more to offer than a miraculous cure narrative and to begin learning from their embodied experiences.
“Kenny writes with devastating humor and uncommon depth that will remind readers of Anne Lamott. All hail this new and necessary voice."
--Lisa Sharon Harper, author of The Very Good Gospel and Fortune: How Race Broke My Family and the World--and How to Repair It All
“I found this book to be not only a call to justice but an invitation to deep blessing. I will be pressing this book into the hands of every ministry leader I know."
--Sarah Bessey, editor of the New York Times bestseller A Rhythm of Prayer and author of Jesus Feminist
"Kenny issues a convicting invitation to the people of God to live up to our deepest values. I will be giving this book to my disabled and nondisabled friends alike."
--Bethany McKinney Fox, author of Disability and the Way of Jesus
"Kenny is among the sharpest writers and thinkers, and she offers the truth through beautiful writing, wit, wisdom, and grace while showing us the way forward."
--Marlena Graves, author of The Way Up Is Down: Becoming Yourself by Forgetting Yourself
"This work is sure to be a balm for those who have ever felt sidelined because of ableist theology and sure to be a redemptive kick in the pants for the rest of us."
--Andre Henry, award-winning singer-songwriter, writer, and activist
Contents
A Note on Language
Preface
1. Disability Curatives
Top Ten Recommended Remedies
2. Disability Discrimination
Top Ten "At Leasts"
3. Disability Doubters
Top Ten Disability Denials
4. Disability Justice
Top Ten Reasons I’m Disabled
5. Disability Blessings
Top Ten "I Know How You Feels"
6. Disability Mosquitos
Top Ten Mosquito Swatters
7. Disability Lessons
Top Ten Disability Icebreakers
8. Disabled Foundations
Top Ten Disability Accolades
9. Disabled God
Top Ten Disability Theologies
10. Disabled Church
Top Ten Disability Dreams
Benecription for Nondisabled People
Benecription for Disabled People
Further Reading
- Title: My Body Is Not a Prayer Request: Disability Justice in the Church
- Author: Amy Kenny
- Publisher: Brazos Press
- Print Publication Date: 2022
- Logos Release Date: 2021
- Pages: 208
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9781493437092, 9781587435454, 1587435454, 1493437097
- Resource ID: LLS:9781493437092
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2026-01-16T17:00:18Z
Amy Kenny (PhD, University of Sussex) is a disabled scholar whose research focuses on medical and bodily themes in literature. She is a Shakespeare lecturer at the University of California, Riverside, and is on the editorial board of Shakespeare Bulletin. Kenny is a member and scribe of the Freedom Road Global Writers' Group hosted by Lisa Sharon Harper and has written for Sojourners about disability in the church. She serves on the mayor's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force in her home city, coordinates support for people experiencing homelessness, and is colaunching Jubilee Homes OC, a permanent supportive housing initiative in her local community.
Reviews
0 ratings
Rick Tuter
12/9/2023
How is it possible that a person who describes themselves as "disabled" and seemingly doesn't want to become enabled(?) casts a negative light an "ableism"? Why is disabled good and ableism bad? Am I disrespecting God by asking Him to heal myself or someone else, and what manner of healing is socially just? This book seemingly advocates a very confusing mindset that doesn't seem Biblical.Rev. Delwyn X. Campbell Sr
4/10/2023
"We worship a disabled God?" Last time I checked, the God whom we worship is the Lord God almighty. He carried His own cross after experiencing "the little death of scourging, and rose with all power in His hand. Also, in the Resurrection, I do believe that our spiritual bodies will be fully functional.