increasing violence

Violent episodes have increased leaps and bounds in the past seven or eight months in Waterloo. Yesterday, a friend was subbing in a preschool on the campus of the former Longfellow Elementary, when she found herself herding children into the classroom for a lock-down because just outside on surrounding streets there was an armed robbery, suspects on foot in the area, and a police car being rammed by one of the suspects that then resulted in the driver being shot by police. All of this at 11:00 a.m.

A few days ago, a person was critically beaten by a hammer inside a local Kwik Star at 3:20 p.m.
Reports of shootings are becoming commonplace. Fear in the community is on the rise. And the fear is found in many sectors...it starts in the young people who are growing up and turning to violence. Broken homes and hopes, voids in life that are filled with gangs and violence. Fear in family members who see their kin out of control. Fear in those who live in highly targeted areas. Fear in businesses. Fear in the police officers. Fear and frustration in the court systems. Fear in the outlying and suburban populations.

How do we face fear? With faith. So in faith, God, we pray, as the circumstances of this age require "only God can" sized faith. Only God can redeem lives from the pit. Only God can change hearts and turn around lives. Only God can move in a mighty way to take back His streets. Only God's love can melt the heart and life of one whose heart has grown hard. Only God can protect. Only God can heal His city. Only God. So, we pray, God, for you to make whole your city. Your Kingdom come. Your will be done. We pray your covering. And we pray as people who have faith in your glory and your power that we might move out in love and courage to be your salt and light amidst the brokenness.