Ways to Pray for the West Side of Grand Rapids

This is the first of what we hope is many prayer letters about strategic areas and needs in our city written by pastors and ministry leaders. If you are interested in writing such a letter please email info@gatheringgr.org. 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

We are writing you from the Near West Side where the Body of Christ has been praying for the Kingdom of God to break forth.  We count it joy that you are partners in the Gospel and will be praying for the light of Christ to break forth here.

As you pray, let us suggest a couple of specific ways that you might pray

•  The 49504 zip code (where we are located) has one of the highest rates of Child Protective Services calls for the Grand Rapids area.  Would you please pray that God would pour out His peace and protection on the apartments and houses in our neighborhood?  Would you also pray that God would turn the hearts of fathers and mothers to their children and the hearts of children to their mothers and fathers?

•  Officers from the Grand Rapids Police Department have reported that Stocking Avenue in our neighborhood has become a location for sex trafficking.  Would you please pray for freedom for the girls and women in the sex trade industry?  Pray for places of refuge and light for them as God releases them from bondage.  Pray that the Lord would dry up the demand for prostitution.  Pray that He would free the men from their addiction to the sex trade. 

•  Teenagers on the West Side are looking for purpose, guidance and support in their schools.  Reports from Steepletown Ministries, Bridge Street House of Prayer, Other Way Ministries and the Stockbridge Boiler Room confirm this reality.  Pray that God would inspire students toward purpose and full use of their God-given faculties for learning.  Pray that God would raise up learning opportunities and environments where students would be safe, supported and challenged to develop academically and socially. 

•  In surveys taken during our community meal at the 5th Street Hall, 75% of our participants identified "mentors for young people" as a critical need for our community.  Would you pray for individuals with a grace to guide and encourage children and teenagers?  Pray that these children and teenagers might follow their mentors as their mentors follow Christ.

•  Surveys also identify loneliness as a key problem for West Siders.  Please pray that God would "set the lonely in family." (Ps 68).  Pray that Kingdom family would grow in their capacity to welcome the lonely and to disciple them in the way of Jesus. 

Please share any Scripture, pictures, words of knowledge/wisdom coming from prayer.

 

Yours in the joyful advance of His Kingdom,

Tony Tendero – The Stockbridge Boiler Room

stockbridgeboilerroom@gmail.com