Tenth International Conference on Religion & Spirituality in Society

Abstract

“Praying for the Water: Uniting together in a Southern Watershed” looks at present-day environmental beliefs and understandings surrounding one of Florida’s most valuable natural resources and the leaders involved with its protection. Drawing from interviews conducted with Florida environmental activists, this paper explores the religious and spiritual implications of water-based activism and what it means to unite for clean water. My research looks at water prayer ceremonies, such as the 2019 Lake Okeechobee “Healing Waters” Prayer Walk, led by indigenous leader Betty Osceola, in addition to regional interfaith organizing work driven largely by Unitarian Universalists. By focusing on water protection, I argue that when engaged on a larger statewide level, religion and spirituality can play an increasingly important role in Florida’s environmental efforts as they help bridge gaps by expanding this work beyond race, class, ethnic, and socioeconomic boundaries.