DRIVE-BY PRAYER VIGIL

 

The Bible states that the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective.  We're seeing the fruit of effective prayers that were prayed by city pastors, church and community members at the June city-wide prayer against violence.  The emphasis was on prayers against the violence that inevitably breaks out during the summer months.  The number of homicides decreased during the June and July months and we're believing for the same in August.  So far there have only been 2 reported for August*.

 

June 2008 - 9                        July 2008 - 19                August 2008 - 9 

 

Although we would like to see the numbers much lower, we rejoice in the fact that they have not exceeded the previous year's count, with the month of July reflecting a significant decrease! 

 

 

Our first presence at the Indiana Black Expo and we were awarded the 2nd place booth award.  Several hundred stopped by the booth and signed up to either get involved or make a commitment to pray for the movement.  The "Wall of Victims" drew much attention and many asked for prayer on the spot, including local law enforcement who dropped by.

 

 

The funeral of 8-year old Jeremiah Williams was held a few days ago leaving a family and a community puzzled and concerned.  Young Jeremiah  was one of the innocent victims caught in the crossfire of adult issues.  Minding his own business, in the "safety" of his own home, a bullet (unintended for him) finds itself taking his life and leaving a family and community in mourning.
 
Are your kids covered?  Unfortunately even good kids become victims of evil minds that seek revenge at any cost with no regard for the young and the innocent.  2-year old Yuridia Sosa recently takes a bullet in the head at a wedding reception, but "thank God!" is expected to recover.
 
If there's ever a time we need to cover our children in prayer, it's right now!  A member of our church recently informed me of another recent homicide involving a young man who was shot and killed in her daughters front yard, leaving 17 bullet holes in her daughters house while she was asleep in her bed.  Her daughter didn't know the victim nor anything about the melee that took place right outside her home, yet her home became one of the targets of a shoot-out that could have cost her life.  Thank God for mercy!  The mother told me she had a strong urge to pray for her daughter prior to the incident and now knows why.  Prayer is a powerful covering and is more than able to protect our children from the wiles of the enemy.  As we remember the family of Jeremiah, let's remember to cover our kids from the senseless violence that seeks to steal, kill and destroy.

 

 

Drive-by Prayer Vigil co-Founder, Paul Bateman, was officially ordained along with 15 others this past Sunday afternoon, after completing pre-ordination training at New Wineskin Ministries.  Minister Bateman's heart and passion for the city of Indianapolis has been clearly demonstrated both in government as well as outreach ministry on several fronts.  His pastor, A. Thomas Hill of Healing Streams Word & Worship Center, was proud to present his certificate of ordination at the weekend services.  Pastor Hill states, "the ordination exercise is only a public affirmation of the ministry work he has already been doing.  His passion preceded the paper."