items of interest

with contributions from Eric Tiansay, David Steindl-Rast, Matthew B. Horne, Isabel Allende, Mark Matousek, Jeanie Davis, Thomas E. Phillips

"Church Leaders, city officials and lay ministers are utilizing an unconventional weapon to reduce crime and drug activity in Baltimore: prayer gatherings. According to The Baltimore Sun, a group of mostly Pentecostal ministers last weekend launched three days of prayer, fasting and repentance over the shootings and domestic violence afflicting city neighborhoods. ...

"With Mayor Martin O'Malley's backing, [Israel Baptist Church pastor H. Walden] Wilson and several ministers joined forces for Peace for the City, the second annual three-day weekend of prayer and fasting. The effort included simultaneous prayer rallies in each of the city's nine police districts and petitions for God's help for politicians, police, firefighters and teachers. O'Malley, who officially declared the three days of 'citywide prayer and fasting,' said his administration needed divine help to combat violent crime and drug addiction.

"'Ultimately, we're not the ones who write the script. ... It's not just about action but faith and having the humility to acknowledge we can't accomplish anything without God's help,' said O'Malley...."

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