Thursday, May 3, 2012 is the National Day of Prayer. Different communities around the nation will pray for different issues relevant to them. It is not uncommon for some communities to pray for peace or their own in the military while others pray for those impoverished or struggling to make ends meet.
Violence in Cincinnati is of special concern. There is not a day that goes by without news of young people's lives being claimed in gun violence. A culture of despair and hopelessness prevails in the inner city. There are no easy solutions available.
Data from the past 11 years reveal an upward trend in violent crime, and the rate in 2012 will be higher than in 2009.
Look at the statistics:
Cincinnati's violent crime rate in 2009 was 177.56% higher than the national average and 258.93% higher than the Ohio rate. Property crime was 103.22% higher than the national average and 88.63% higher than the state average.
Clergy, pastors and religious leaders will therefore join in a caravan ride to specific points in Cincinnati for prayer stops. The starting point – at 10 am - will be Church of the Living God and proceed to Avondale, Winton Terrace, Price Hill, Over the Rhine and end on the steps of City Hall.
The pain of violence is too great on the community. God answers prayers. Every person of faith and good will is urged to participate at one of the stops for this special occasion.
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