2 posts tagged “evil”

We went to Sandman park tonight. Called to pray there by my Mom. We had a group of 15. No cameras, no police, no families, just us and God and the stiff wind we felt while at Louis Park. We prayed fervently, several voicing prayers of safety, deliverance,and innocence. Sometimes it is hard for me to remember prayer is our best weapon against evil. It is connecting with God, getting eyes to see, and equipping those we don't even know. I think we got into the habit of seeing prayer as useless because we know it is also the easiest thing we can do, it takes no effort or money besides stopping and voicing or thinking words to God. Perhaps it is because we want the glory for ourselves: I marched through the park keeping it safe, I cleaned the home of the poor widower, I shared and loved the hardened criminal leading him from a life of destruction, but this isn't likely. It's not even efficent. The actions and the glory is God's. God calls us to action, yes, but first he calls us to prayer. He calls us to hand things over to Him, to let Him orchestrate the events.

Lord heal our land. In Jesus Name, Amen

Yesterday morning I was struck deeply by what is happening at Louis Park in Stockton. One gang, West Side Bloods has claimed it as there territory according to the Stockton Record. That isn't a surprise, the area has been crime-ridden for a very, very long time, as long as I have lived in Stockton. Last week Aaron Kelley, a 13 year old, was shot in his mother's car as she fled the park. She had gone over to the park with him to play. I was angry and frustrated when I read this. I took part, as a member of Reflection Community Church, a predecessor to New Day, in building that park. It was built in honor of one of the soldiers from our area who was killed early in the Iraq War.

God spoke to me and said we should go and pray at Louis Park. Our church has a commitment, "New Day is a community of followers of Jesus called to destroy evil, restore lives, and show the love of God." This was definitly evil. But then my mind immediately went to the risks. Louis Park is dangerous. Gangs could start coming after me, at my home...My mind and anxiety were racing. I had to stop my mind.

I talk brave. I talk of faith, of God providing, of God answering our needs and giving us purpose. We read in the Bible of people who God asked to do remarkable things and at times wonder why the people acted so cowardly. They had a lot to lose. All God has asked me to do is to go and pray at Louis Park. That's it. And yes it could be the last thing I do, it probably won't be, it will most likely be uneventful. The sad thing is I was hesitant to go because of what I had, my comforts, not seeing this blessings as simply gifts from God that he can keep and he can take away. I must do what the Lord has said.

I see confirmation of God's call. Fellow wise believers have said, it's very, very dangerous. They too were scared for their safety. I told them we will arrive at 6. When my cell phone says 6 we will get out of cars, pray, and then leave. Second, everyone agrees it is evil and prayer needs to happen. Obviously prayer can happen anywhere but I believe God is calling me into a less comfortable spot to pray. So I will go.

I have a friend who is Irish and used to live in Belfast. He lived through "The Troubles" of the Protestant-Catholic conflict there. Upon the death of Pope John II some protestants put up horrific grafitti celebrating his death. My friend, who is part of a peace group in Ireland, went out with friends in the wee hours of the morning and spray painted over the hateful grafitti with the word, "Sorry". A simple act, that took a lot of courage from just a few.

I must do this.