Tag Archives: safer streets

Peacemakers “FOOT PATOLLERS” are back on the streets of Bristol

Global Prayer Mission- November

Once again the Peacemakers Team of hopefuls will take to the streets of Bristol, with much enthusiasm and positive determination, that their Prayer Patrols will be a beneficial presence and great upliftment to these communities.

Prayer Patrols started in the then crime-torn area of St. Pauls, Bristol. There were several street gangs and drugs influencing the peaceful neighborhoods then, making it very unsafe to walk about, day or night. Together with the community policing, and the involvement of other community groups and organizations, along with some residents, Prayer Patrols were at the center of providing a valuable, visible  presence in the area.  At one time they were patrolling the streets almost 24 hours per day.  They also opened an office in the area, the Peace Embassy, for concerned residents,  youths, and local groups.

Today, it is a different story, street crime in St. Pauls is at an all time low in terms of street gangs, community violence, or hostilities. WP_20160325_14_32_51_ProThen, the City Council allocated funding to community groups and projects, regenerated the area with new buildings and other neighborhood improvements, in housing, gardens for residents, and parks, etc. The streets are definitely safer these days, we found new communities have moved into the area, and there are quite a few new enterprises dotted around.

Peacemakers, however, are keen to maintain rapport, as a peace agent and a beneficial presence for good, in these areas. So, from October to December 2016, they will be out again rigorously patrolling the streets of Bristol. **See below for areas, dates and times**

 Autumn 2016 Prayer Patrols in Bristol:

*Fishponds                                  Saturday     22nd October        2.00pm (Meet up outside Morrisons Supermarket, Fishponds, on the forecourt to the side, and by the steps a couple of feet away from the Bus Stop)

*Easton & Old Market          Friday          18th November     6.00pm (Meet up on the street, outside st. Marks Church, Easton,next to the pub)

*St.Pauls & Stokes Croft      Friday          9th December        6.00pm (Meet up outside St. Pauls Learning Centre, St. Pauls)

The 2017 UK Patrols will include Bishopston, Staple Hill, Park Street, Bedminster, Barton Hill and St Werburghs.  Dates and times of these patrols are still to be decided and will be published at a later date.

If you are interested to know more about Peacemakers or wish to join us on any of the patrols, please do get in touch with us via the CONTACT US page.

Peacemakers Motto: Love, Hope, and Peace for all. 
"Reducing crime and building safer, more peaceful communities"

***Click HERE to See our Global Prayer Mission Prayer List for September

 

PEACEMAKERS TRIBUTE PRAYER IN THE WAKE OF THE HORRIFIC KILLING OF MP JO COX and PLEA FOR MORE PRAYER PATROLS TO ‘MAN’ STREETS

 

Hilary Benn, MP for Leeds Central, Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow, PM David Cameron, Commons chaplain Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkin and Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn arrive in Birstall this afternoon

PEACEMAKERS Leader Reverend Palmer joins with other Leaders and thousands of people in England, to pay respect and tribute to Labour MP Jo Cox. “In the shocking wake of the hideous killing of Jo Cox, our condolences and prayers for comfort, goes out to her husband Brendan Cox, and the couple’s two children, their family, friends, co-workers, members of her constituency, and the peoples of West Yorkshire as they mourn the death of a beloved wife, mother, daughter, friend and MP.  Hers is a precious soul, a valuable member of the human race, who contributed so beautifully for its betterment. Today our prayer is also for 77-year-old Mr Bernard Kenny, the stabbed victim, who almost gave his life to save Jo. WE pray for his  health and a speedy recovery .”

The usually quiet Yorkshire town has become the centre of the country's attention as people gather to leave floral tributes in Market Square

“WE are living in an age and season where the availability and access to guns are easily available; where there is a lack of respect for life, and where if ever a time we need an acceleration for prayer, it is NOW.” BBC UK News report HERE

Thousands of people stood solemnly in silence in Parliament Sqaure in London, to remember the MP“Peacemakers are relentless praying  the change we wish to see for our world.  LOVE, HOPE and PEACE is our charge for this year, and we are resolved to see this through. I grieve with those who mourn the death of our loved ones, but will not give in to these barbaric acts of violence and the killing of innocent people. We will press on in ardent prayer, in spite of this. We are also praying for the perpetrator, it is obvious that he needs help. So we pray that he will now get this help even though it will come too late to save Mrs Cox.”

“I urge communities to ‘man’ our streets with Prayer Patrols and use this sombre occasion to send out this appeal for Justice and safer streets, everywhere.

Prayer Patrols often meet and pray with people, some ‘on the edge’, and if there are obvious signs of serious mental issues, we try as best as we can to encourage them to seek further professional help. But by being available to listen to the cares, frustrations, and concerns of people on the streets have helped combat a whole lot of crimes over the years.

I remember a few years ago, a small band of us going out in Bristol, street crime was on the increase then.  We met a man who had just been released from prison 4 months previously,  he was armed to commit a violent crime on another man that he said had ‘p…ed him off’ earlier that day.  I watched as a few of the older women in the group prayed with him, they pleaded with him, and basically loved him through his anger until it subsided, and he had a change of heart. This was just one case, but I dread to think what might have happened had we not been out there. Who knows perhaps a wife, a mother and her children would be in mourning as we are today? ”

light-up-the-darkness

“…….and so, may our Prayers ‘light up the darkness’,  bringing comfort to those mourning the loss of loved ones, healing to broken lives, and helping to kerb the destitute minds of the perverted, by sowing seeds these tiny seeds of hope and peace to lighten our world.”

  • - Reverend Dawnecia Palmer on behalf of Peacemakers Prayer Patrol and Respect4Life - June 20, 2016
  • Next Prayer Patrol Queens, NY, 3pm, Saturday 25th June 2016