Why is it that we are preyed upon as a people then we are asked to pray for others?

Bobby R. Henry, Sr.
Bobby R. Henry, Sr.

Why is it that we are preyed upon as a people then we are asked to pray for others?

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you”                 Matthew 5:44  (KJV)

By Bobby R. Henry, Sr.     

We would like to thank the following individuals for their commitment to serve others through the gifts that God has given them: Ms. Jenell Blake, Dr. Rosalind Osgood, Broward County School Board Member; Saxophonist  Randy Corinthian; Rev.  Johnny L. Barber, II Senior Pastor Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, Miami, Fla.; The Honorable Ilona Holmes, Circuit Court Judge – 17th Judicial Circuit Broward County Florida; Chief Anthony Williams, Chief of Police for Broward County School District; Rev. Larry Thompson, Senior Pastor First Baptist Church, Fort Lauderdale; Rasheed Z. Baaith, Pastor Christ Resurrection Community Church, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Rev. Ricky Scott, Senior Pastor  New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Dr. Marcus D. Davidson, Senior Pastor New Mount Olive Baptist Church, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Rev. Robert Stanley, Senior Pastor Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church, Pompano Beach, Fla. and Minister Eddie Robinson and the Voices of Mount Olive.

Dr. Marcus D. Davidson, senior pastor of New Mount Olive Baptist Church, South Florida pastors and the Westside Gazette Newspaper hosted a prayer rally for peace.

“In light of the recent events in Ferguson Mo. we must come together to address the issues as a community and provide our support through prayer. We must ensure that peace prevails among our people and in our communities. this is not just a prayer rally for Ferguson, Mo., this is a call for peace nationwide.”—Dr. Marcus D. Davison

Deep in the heart of Africa’s wilderness, you can find animals of all walks of life at the watering hole. They come in all shapes and sizes, big and small, spotted and lined, tall and short, you even have those who are considered prey and those who prey upon them. Yes, prey upon others as in to devour, eat, consume, obliterate, or kill. However the watering hole is where life is sustained, made whole, revitalized and brought forth.

The Prayer Rally on Thursday at New Mount Olive Baptist Church can be liken to the watering hole. A place where folks from all walks of life came to pray to God for forgiveness and solutions. There were law enforcement, political candidates, clergy, elected officials,  people from the state attorney’s office, judges, recovering addicts, youth, ex-cons, and those who help ex-cons and addicts; the community was well reflective. Yes they were all there praying for a better day. Praying with love and compassion in their hearts. Praying that we will continue this prayer rally for days and years to come. Praying that this Prayer Rally for Peace was built upon the foundation of God Al-mighty and not man. Yes we were praying rather than preying.

Janice Hayes, a mother of a young Black man said that we should put actions to our prayers. “If we want to reach our young Black men, we’ve got to extend our hand and hearts to them. Our young Black men are inundated with subliminal and overt messages telling them they are worthless, depleting them of hope. Without an expectation of a bright future, life appears dismal and therefore devalued.

“We can start the process of reaching our young Black men, by speaking hope, faith and love into their lives. People typically respond favorably to those who favor them. Or as FDR said, People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care”.

It was suggested that the community meet on a regular basis to keep us united and aware of the actions of others.

“After such a great turnout, and emotional response, I would meet quarterly with community  workers. You notice that I said community workers. Incorporating the Broward churches with the Westside Gazette  was a great move. Now, by utilizing the grassroots into this equation could change the dynamics and provide better outcomes, to include increasing the voting turn out,” stated Guy Wheeler.

There are needs that our community is missing, even though there are organizations that are on the battle fields. When we come together from all aspects of our communities, we present an audacious presentation that is very hard to ignore and treat with blatant disrespect.

Rev. Robert Stanley was moved by the possibility of an everlasting sharing of aims to galvanize communities to irritate change that is truly needed.

“The Prayer Rally for Peace was not only timely but transforming. We were convicted by our own possible complacency and challenged to acknowledge and accept our need for permanent provoking solidarity moving forward,” Stanley said.

“As a young person that has not seen any civil unrest first hand. I really enjoyed the Prayer Rally for Peace. It was very inspiring, touching and powerful! I’m thankful and glad that I was in attendance for Prayer for Peace,” said Tawanna Taylor.

 

About Carma Henry 24363 Articles
Carma Lynn Henry Westside Gazette Newspaper 545 N.W. 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311 Office: (954) 525-1489 Fax: (954) 525-1861

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