In the Way of Anna: The Prayer Legacy of the Women of the Church of God in Christ

This article explores the prayer tradition within the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) by examining the prayer ministry of four notable COGIC women: Lizzie Woods Robinson, E. J. Dabney, Elsie Shaw, and Frances Kelly. The prayer ministry in COGIC, often led by women, historically drove tremendous growth and encouraged a lively Pentecostal holiness spirituality that remains the lifeblood of the denomination. Drawing comparisons to Anna the prophetess in Luke 2, it shows how the prayer practices of COGIC women provide both a connection to ancient spirituality and also model a relevant, vibrant Spirit-empowered prayer template for churches and individuals both within and without the Church of God in Christ to emulate.