Yesterday Emma was blissfully shopping at Target in Uptown. I know this because she posted a picture to Instagram of the store. Moments later she sent me a text saying there was a shooting at the McDonalds a few blocks away. Five people were shot.
Here is where the homeless and hungry line up for meals and meetings. It is directly across the street from the McDonald's.
Emma's friend Anthony was in line.
He was hit with shrapnel in the hand and went to the hospital.
He is doing fine but is very frightened.
It was a fine summer day
Girls shopped
Children swam
Locust hummed
Lost boys shot
What will ever stop the violence?
Who can hope?
Will you join me in praying for the vulnerable people living in violent places....like Chicago?
Thank you.
God Bless
Donna
Praying.
ReplyDeletePraying right now, Donna. For the problem of violence and for Anthony...Lord Have Mercy!!!
ReplyDeleteLove to Emma,
Di
Violence seems to be evrywhere, nowadays. Sometimes, I need to remember that wére supposed to live in the healthiest and most secure century of our Human History ...
ReplyDeleteYes, agreeing with you and the folks here at QL in prayer.
ReplyDeleteWhat Di said ... Lord have mercy
My younger daughter lives 3 miles away from Uptown, about 4 or 5 blocks from the Swedish Hospital. Her weekend job is in Licoln Square, about 2 miles away. This is a good reminder for me to not grow lax in my prayers for her as well.
"Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest
in the shadow of the Almighty." Psalm 91:1. Amen and amen.
Gracious. How terrifying for Emma and for you. Praying for an end to senseless acts of violence.
ReplyDeleteSo glad Emma is OK. Praying for peace in Chicago and all over our world.
ReplyDeletePraying for safety for Emma and those dear to her in Chicago.
ReplyDeleteFor Our Children
Father, hear us, we are praying,
Hear the words our hearts are saying,
We are praying for our children.
Keep them from the powers of evil,
From the secret, hidden peril,
From the whirlpool that would suck them,
From the treacherous quicksand, pluck them.
From the worldling's hollow gladness,
From the sting of faithless sadness,
Holy Father, save our children.
Through life's troubled waters steer them,
Through life's bitter battle cheer them,
Father, Father, be Thou near them.
Read the language of our longing,
Read the wordless pleadings thronging,
Holy Father, for our children.
-Amy Carmichael
Debbie Z.
Have prayed this prayer many times. Love it, and Amy, so much.
DeleteCome, Lord Jesus.
{{{LIKE}}}
Deleteboth the prayer and Amy. :-)
Prayers
ReplyDeleteSarah P. from Iowa
Praying for Emma and the people of Chicago. I know what it's like in those hard-core areas of the city. God Bless Emma and keep her safe.
ReplyDeleteI am absolutely safe, I used to live in this neighborhood but live a couple miles up the road now (which is far for the city). Just happened to be shopping there. The street that the shooting happened on is known for being fought over between two gangs. Daylight shootings don't happen too often, but often enough. I commend all the residents of this neighborhood, it is very socioeconomically diverse place, it is the only neighborhood on the north side of Chicago like it, and I know many people who choose to live in the community out of purpose. My friend Anthony doesn't choose to live there, he just has to. He'd never hurt anyone. He is very dear to my heart and I'm glad he is ok.
ReplyDeleteWe prayed for the Just Embrace community and Sher and Emma in particular just this morning on our walk. In his sermon this past Sunday our priest talked about how Jesus did not promise us an easy or stress free life, but a life of service and even sometimes pain...And, also great love!
ReplyDeleteMay the great Love of God keep each person in Chicago and all communities in this world, we do so pray.
Amen.
love AND prayers, jep
I'm overwhelmed by your comment and faithfulness to pray and keep us in your hearts. YOur prayers were not without tremendous purpose and aim through the Holy Spirit. Thank you for your faithfulness and great wisdom.
Delete-Sher
amen jep!
ReplyDeleteGlad to read Emma's post above -- bless Anthony's heart.
I suspected what she stated: that a mile or two makes a huge difference in the city.
And if I could ask for including North Minneapolis in all your prayers as well. The shootings here haven't been as bad as Chicago, but they've gotten quite frightening. North Minneapolis is where I work as a community developer as well as have a lot of friends. I think there are so many places that need an outpouring of prayers.
ReplyDeleteThis makes my heart break.
ReplyDeleteWhen will it end?
I'll pray, and for the whole world, too. Lord, come quickly.
ReplyDeleteDear, sweet Anthony. Prayers for peace for him and all the others.
ReplyDeleteMary Z
.
GOd Bless Emma. Prayers for Anthony. Prayers for all the youth who live in gang infested areas.....
ReplyDeleteWe can Pray. And that IS doing something....
Sending Prayers.
ReplyDeleteKim L
My sister raised her family for many years (before moving to Wisconsin) in the Uptown area of Chicago. I lived in the adjacent Bryn Mawr/Edgewater section many years ago ... it seems that my beloved city is spiraling further down ... thoughts and prayers for those who live there that they (and their families) are safe. People should be able to send their children out to play and have a normal childhood without the fear they will be injured or killed all because of a "turf war". Prayers being said ......
ReplyDelete