What does freedom truly look like, and where do you find it in your life? Journey with Rev. Rob McPherson as he explores Edmonia Lewis’ sculpture Forever Free, a bold testament to emancipation and hope. Together, reflect on God’s promise of liberation and discover where God might be calling you to break chains today.

Exodus 6:2-7

In this episode of Art and Prayer, Rev. Rob McPherson invites us into a contemplative encounter with Edmonia Lewis’ powerful sculpture Forever Free. This is a first for the series—a time of prayer centered around a three-dimensional artwork. To help viewers engage more fully, two images from different angles are offered, allowing us to explore the sculpture’s rich details and the deeper spiritual messages within. The artwork itself is a striking celebration of emancipation and human dignity, created just after the abolition of slavery in 1867.

Unlike many sculptures from the era that often depict enslaved men in subservient or defeated postures, Lewis’ work shows a triumphant family—a couple united in freedom, embodying hope, resilience, and restored humanity. The broken shackles and the confident posture of the man, alongside the woman kneeling in prayer with a lifted gaze, speak profoundly of liberation not just physical but spiritual and relational. These details open us to reflection on freedom’s many dimensions, both personal and collective.

The episode centers around a reading from Exodus 6:2-7, where God reassures Moses and the Israelites that liberation from bondage is near, and God’s covenant remains steadfast. Listeners are invited to hear God’s voice in the scripture, noticing particular words or phrases that resonate personally. This sacred text, paired with the sculpture, provides a framework to reflect on the ongoing journey from captivity to freedom, both historically and in our current lives.

As we gaze upon the figures—each with their own posture and expression—we are asked to consider where our hearts are drawn. Is it the man standing tall, the woman in prayer, or both? What chains in our own lives or communities need breaking? What freedom are we called to claim or to foster? The contemplation gently guides us to identify our role in God’s ongoing work of liberation and healing.

The episode closes with an encouraging reminder that the struggle for freedom is both historical and ongoing. Edmonia Lewis’ own words remind us that despite obstacles and setbacks, perseverance and hope remain vital. The invitation is clear: God hears our groaning and is actively at work, calling us to participate in breaking chains and advancing freedom wherever it is needed.