By Staff, Baptist Message
“Consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the Lord your God, and cry out to the Lord.” Joel 1:14
BATON ROUGE – Col. Mike Edmonson, head of the Louisiana State Police recently requested prayers following the tragic shooting of three Baton Rouge law enforcement officers.
“We want and need your prayers,” Edmonson said. “Baton Rouge is in need of your prayers right now.”
And churches are responding, especially after what transpired over the weekend. Prayer is needed now more than ever.
At 6 p.m. this evening (July 19), Istrouma Baptist Church will host a night of prayer for Baton Rouge and law enforcement. According to the church’s website, “Anyone is welcome to stop by and pray for our city, our nation, our local law enforcement, and the families and friends of the officers who lost their lives Sunday.”
On Wednesday, Istrouma will also host a community blood drive at their Baton Rouge campus from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.to help the blood bank restock its blood reserves. That evening, there will be a Night of Prayer at Istrouma’s ‘The Grove’ Campus, located on Hwy 42 in Prairieville, beginning at 7 p.m.
PRAYING FOR HEALING & PEACE
Since the shooting July 17, Florida Boulevard Baptist has opened its worship center from noon to 12:45 p.m. daily for anyone wishing to pray for comfort, healing and peace.
Pastor Jay Avance of First Baptist Baker posted to his Facebook page, “Pray for our community, pray the Spirit of God will bring His peace over our city today. Thank you Boys in Blue, may we Back the Badge and lift each on up in prayer, and thank you all for what you do for our community by keeping us safe, God Bless!”
CRYING OUT TO GOD
Monday evening (July 18), First Baptist Church Covington held a well-attended prayer service for the Baton Rouge community and all law enforcement in the state.
Before the service began, those law enforcement officers and their families in attendance received a rousing standing ovation and the heartfelt love of those in attendance.
Associate Pastor Jay Johnston, who also serves as chair of the Louisiana Governor’s Prayer Breakfast task force and the state coordinator for Louisiana National Day of Prayer, is calling upon churches across the state to hold similar gatherings.
“The Bible reveals to us God created us with a need for others,” Johnston said. “Jesus modeled this with his followers to reveal the truth that we need each other (in) John 17:20-23; Acts 2:42-47. Our state and cities are hurting and the recent shootings and killings in Baton Rouge have accelerated the hurt and brokenness of our community.”
SEEKING THE FACE OF GOD
On Thursday evening (July 21) t 6 p.m. in the Grant Junior High School Gymnasium local pastors will lead the community in prayer for the parish’s law enforcement officers Pastor Brian Gunter, First Baptist Pollock posted on his Facebook page.
Sheriff Steven McCain will be the keynote speaker.
Gunter wrote, “We especially want to encourage all churches and law enforcement agencies across Grant Parish to attend. Those outside of Grant Parish are also welcomed. May we all seek the face of God together and bring unity to our nation in these chaotic times!”
AND GOD’S PEOPLE PRAYED…
The Baptist Association of Greater Baton Rouge is hosting a “Solemn Assembly” prayer meeting at First Baptist Church of Baton Rouge, located at 529 Convention Street, Baton Rouge, 70802, Sunday, July 24, from 4 to 5 p.m. according to Director of Missions Tommy Middleton.
Please join us,” said Middleton. “All Pastors, staff, church members and guests are invited to this time of prayer in light of this tragedy which has taken place here. We will not only pray for our police officers and their families but for our city, state and nation.
“There are problems we can’t solve but through prayer,” Middleton said. “All that is happening is a revelation of wickedness in our society.”
