Thousands Pray to Stop Violence in Chicago
As a nurse at Northwestern University hospital, Desiree Smith sees her share of gunshot victims.
Last week, Smith said she saw one a day – five.
“So, much innocent blood has been spread,” said Smith, 50. “Something has to be done.”
On Saturday, Smith took her concerns to church. She prayed for safer streets with about 4,000 others at a citywide service at House of Hope, 752 East 114th St., Chicago.
The nearly four hour event, which attracted more than 400 ministers, was organized by Bishop William Hudson III, pastor of Prayer and Faith Outreach Ministries, 944 W. 103rd St., in Chicago.
The service came during another bloody weekend in Chicago. At least three people were fatally shot and 37 others were wounded, including a 5-year-old girl.
“The church cannot be silent,” Hudson said. “Chicago is a blessed city and its time for the church to lead in taking the city back from violence and every attack of the enemy for the glory of God.”
The Rev. James Meeks, pastor of House of Hope and chairman of the Illinois State Board of Education, said the group should pray for a dramatic decrease in shootings this month.
The Rev. Michael Pfleger, pastor of St. Sabina Catholic Church, 1210 W. 78th Pl. in Chicago, also wants shootings curbed.
“We refuse to accept what is going on in our community,” Pfleger said.
Aside from several prominent area ministers, the “Chicago Prays” event also attracted local gospel recording artists, like Kim Stratton and Todd Dulaney as well as local officials.
“Violence is tearing our community apart,” Cook County Circuit Clerk Dorothy Brown told the group.
The city needs to focus its “thoughts and prayers on ending violence,” Brown said.
The Rev. James Thomas, who rose from his seat several times and shouted Amens and Hallelujahs, also said there was too much gun violence.
“I am concerned about the state of this city,” said Thomas, pastor of 1st Corinthian Missionary Baptist Church, 7500 S. Halsted St. in Chicago. “I believe that prayer changes things.”
After the service, Hudson said the group plans to set up a prayer line to provide spiritual advice to families who have lost loved ones through violence and to help them with the grieving process.
Event visitors received “We watch, we pray” posters and youth got school supply items. The group wants participants to put the posters in their windows.
Hudson, who’s worked on the service for the last year, said the event showed great “unity” among Chicago area churches.
“I thought it was beautiful,” Hudson said.
Frank Muhammad, a 32-year-old Chatham resident, said he enjoyed the prayer service.
“This was awesome, good,” Muhammad said. “This was a step in taking the city back. If the church doesn’t do anything, then nothing will get done.”
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