Last Saturday, I attended the Stop the Violence Rally at the Boulevard Restaurant, site of the recent murder of a child. I had been asked to offer one of the prayers, and was proud to be included with the big names of justice in our community. There were powerful prayers, uplifting music, and good attendance for a holiday weekend.
I believe that prayer makes a difference, and I am sure that God heard our cries. The grief, the frustration, the seeming inevitability of violence, it all weighed heavy. And as the summer approaches, and the days literally heat up, the anxiety about more random violence was palpable.
They highlighted some serious efforts to do positive things. There are many summer activities for kids, so they are busy and engaged in a community of accountability. There is prevention work among teens, especially those who have been in trouble in the past. All of this is good and should be supported financially.
What can the average person do though? How can we make a difference? I think the most accessible strategy is to know your neighbors. Check in on them. Make sure they are OK. Let them know someone cares, and they have encouragement and support. It doesn’t matter if they have children at home or not, we still need to take care of each other. To pay attention in a life-giving way.
Do you know your neighbors? I admit I am not close to most of mine. But I bring in their garbage can if it sits out for more than a day. I thank them when they do something kind for me. Baby steps.
There will be more rallying against violence throughout the summer. I encourage you to show that a safe and peaceful city matters to you by attending at least one. We need to show up. We need to show that we care by our actions and participation. Prayer is the heart of all we do, and it should always lead us to action.