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PEACEMAKERS Prayer Patrols the Miami Gardens Area of Florida, USA

“We have been in some pretty hairy places since the founding of Peacemakers Prayer Patrols in 2002, but Miami Gardens threw up the most concerns. We had Prayer Sheilds in England, Michigan, New York, and Miami. And although this was not by any means the feelings of our team members, it was mainly the small talk of people living in Miami-Dade County. In the Media, there are stories of a shooting nearly every day, with drive-by shootings on the rising each week.  The ages of those involved, both of those being killed as well as those carrying out these killings, seems to be getting younger.  See HERE ( 3 Teenage boys arrested for Shooting a 17-year-old boy April 2016 ) The suspects, one age 16 and the other two 15, are expected to be charged with first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder.  Watch   NBC Miami News

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“As Chief and as a father, tragedies like this are heart-wrenching because in total four young lives have been lost. We must continue to work together to bring an end to such senseless and heinous acts of violence,” Police Chief Antonio Brooklen said in a statement. “As tragic as this incident is, the Miami Gardens Police Department is committed to the mission of making our community safe. We will not tolerate anyone who threatens the safety of our Residents or our community.”

 To see NBC NEWS Click HERE > 23-Year-old shot at House Party   Alexandra Dean had just graduated from Nova Southeastern University in May. She was on her way to becoming a nurse and helping others. But that dream was cut short in an instant.

The Peacemakers found a receptive response to their Prayer Patrols at the small rank of shops, that had been the scene of a shooting not long ago. MG PPPThey were determined that Prayer Patrols would have an impact on the areas.  Reverend Palmer explains it like this – “WE really are Patroling the heavens, which directly impacts on the environment and atmosphere of a place. Every place that our feet patrols, creates an opening for peace, peaceful dialogues, and the removal of the spirit of fear,  in order to bring about harmony, peace and safety, to that place. I know it sounds like a tall order but that is my belief, and I have seen it work in some very tough neighbourhoods. Of course in Cities where there are greater confidences by the patrolling teams that join us,  by members of local community, by the Council  and usually by the Policing teams within these areas, we find that we usually receive encouraging testimonies of healings and transformations.   And although we did not have  all these dynamics in place, we did, however, get a good response from the Kingdom Builders Church Intercessory prayer department, IMG-20160709-WA0007some as Shields praying for us, and some of their Leaders came out with me for Saturday’s Miami Prayer Patrol.   We were told only a day before our patrol that Eric Readon, Pastor of a local Church in the Miami Gardens area, had spoken out against the recent youth shootings. and has opened up his church, one night a week, so that parent could drop off their youths in a safe environment. We did manage to make contact with him, unfortunately, due to our short notice, neither he nor any member of his organisation were able to join us for the Prayer Patrol.

WE met and spoke to a youth who was working the Supermarket’s trolly carts, in the car parking lot. Whilst driving to Miami Gardens the Rev shared a vision that she had, it was about a mother kneeling on the floor, crying.  In the vision the woman was in a semi-empty, broken down home, she was holding her stomach and crying profusely for her son. She was crying, wishing that he would be safe, wishing that he would not get caught up in the shootings that were going on around all her.  trolly So, as we approached this young man, Rev shook his hand and asked his age.  He said that he was 19yars old. she said, “No you are not”.  He repeated that he is 19.  “You wouldn’t lie to a Pastor now?” she asked him. ” No,I would never lie to a pastor,” he said. It was obvious that he was not 19, which he admitted later, perhaps our high visibility jackets scared him. When we asked what would he like prayer for, he said, “Please pray for my mother to have a house.” Rev then told him about the vision that she had had on her way there, and that she recognised him as the young man in the vision,  he did not appear alarmed in any way but was  rather attentive and happy for us to pray with him.  Some time later, we did see him again but this time, he looked a lot calmer and was more cohesive.

We chatted and prayed with several people which we all receptive and happy  for us to speak and pray with them. This includes a group of three beautiful young ladies that we stopped to talk and pray with. After prayer,  the most outgoing of the three thanked us and said that she really needed the prayer and kind words of encouragement.  Reverend Nzurike supported and prayed offering them an invitation to  learn about prayer and the effectiveness of praying, at  her upcoming Gathering of the Intercessors event, which is being held mid-August at the Kingdom Builders Church, 168 St.

We stopped one guy that seemed drugged up and totally ‘out of it’. However, when we asked what he would like us to pray for he told us that his aspiration was to be a businessman. He said he was still in school. Decon Samuels did his best at encouraging him, spoke to him about the importance of a good education etc,, he was just on the verge of engaging with us, when, seeing a Police car turn into the carpark area, close to where we were standing, he quickly scampered and sadly, we did not get the chance to say our goodbyes.

Next, we spoke with a Police Officer while he sat in his car.  He told us that he was impressed by what we were doing, that he believes prayers are powerful and makes a big difference in difficult situations and people. He said that if he could retire early this is exactly what he would like to be doing.

Afterwards, we visited Miami Gardens Police Station and the Miami Gardens City Hall building. WP_20160709_14_45_10_ProWe had a frosty response from the first white male police officer we saw at the front desk in the reception area of the Police Station. Whilst explaining about Peacemakers Prayer Patrol he became uninterested and told us so.  In a grunt, he  told us to speak with the female officer at the window next to his.  She was a lot friendlier and very courteous. WP_20160709_14_41_22_ProShe was interested in our work and wanted to know more about how we see prayer patrols making a difference in this area.  This we did as well as sharing a few successful testimonials to our credit. Although on this occasion we were not able  to speak with the Chief, we did, share a few stories with the Sargent in charge Timothy Adams. explaining that we were there to pray a blessing of protection for officers, especially in the light of what had taken place in Dallas earlier that week, as well as paying tribute to the work of the good officers of that precinct. He appeared attentive, courteous, interested and supportive.            Photo  Above: Reverend Dawnecia at the Police Station.  Photo middle  The Rev with Front Desk Officer Agnes Lafarence ? Photo Below from left to right. Reverend Lillian Nzurike, Reverend Palmer and Deacon Samuel. WP_20160709_14_40_48_ProThe first officer continued to maintain a cold, non-responsive attitude throughout the visitation and before we left the Rev asked him why he had treated
her in such a manner. He replied  that he was not interested, he did not wish to know,  and that he was not being mean to her  and that he was just being busy trying to finish a report. Reverend Palmer said that in all the years of Peacemakers Prayer Patrols, in many countries of the world, this was the first time that she had experienced such a distasteful attitude from a first respondent individual, to either her or any member of her groups. When we were outside the station we prayed that there would be just policing in all Miami Police Force. We also prayed for their safety.

MiamiGarden man with gunInstead of the Driveby shootings of bullets, we created a new idea of ‘Driveby Prayers’ as we cruised through the walled areas of Legume Gardens. It was a very tensed area, smaller houses that all looked the same and was in need of repairs. Many areas were unkempt and the few persons we saw walking about appeared glum.

Our Final prayer Patrol was the City Hall. Here we prayed for justice, equality and safety for all Council officers, departments and workers. WP_20160709_14_53_11_ProWP_20160709_14_52_43_Pro “Let Peace reign” AMEN

PEACEMAKERS PRAYER PATROLS IN NEW YORK – JAMAICA QUEENS ’40’ PROJECTS’

According to Wikipedia, Jamaica is a middle-class neighbourhood  in the New York City borough of Queens. The neighbourhood is part of Queens Community Board 12, which also includes Hollis, St Albans, Springfield Gardens, Baisley Ponds Park,  Rochdale Village, and South Jamaica, Queens. Jamaica is patrolled by the NYPD’s 103rd, 113th & 105th Precincts.

As of April 30, 2016, the United States has a total resident population of 323,730,000 and the population of Queens was 217,00 in 2010. The Ancestries in the area are as listed below:

Black: 48.2%. Hispanics: 22.1% White:19.9% Asians 10.5% 0ther:9.4%  2015 Crime statistics for the area.

Most Queens neighbourhoods ranked highly in DNAinfo.com Crime & Safety Report, with nine of its 15 neighbourhoods ranking in the top 20. That’s a far cry from the early 1990s, at the height of the crack epidemic, when the borough racked up nearly 300 murders — three times the amount in 2010 — as well as 17,000 muggings, which breaks down to nearly 50 per day.

ppwideIt was an exceptionally warm Saturday afternoon, as the Peacemakers made their way into the hood of the South Housing 40’s Project.

Before going out we usually approached the local authorities Police to make them aware of our presence, in their Precinct.  This is not because we are expecting trouble, but, because we believe that after a patrol, the transformation begins, and often before the regeneration to come into fruition, the Police should allow the process. Although, sometimes, we have seen immediate effects. During our brief with them, one officer appeared sceptic and said “seeing is believing” when we pointed out some of the changes that  were are expecting to happen to the area, as a product of our patrols. However, we were very thankful that there was at least one officer who said he had heard about our work before, and that he too believed that our Prayer Patrol could possibly bring big changes to the community, uplift the residents and help to reduce crime.”

Patrolling 40 Project, South Jamaica Housing, Queens, NY 

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“The first person that we saw was a Muslim man. he chatted with us in a friendly manner, and although he said did not wish us to pray with him,  nevertheless, he also said that he would not mind a blessing. We were happy to bless him, then shook hands heartily before moving on.

We had many favourable instances to speak with, to pray with, to weep and laugh with, to encourage, motivate and bless the members of this community. WP_20160625_15_44_16_Pro 1                                                                        ^Pic: Barbara Haughton

There was also a positive response to our work with great testimonies of encouragement for what we do.

We had a  positive response to our work and great testimonies of encouragement from the residents for what we do.  WP_20160625_15_44_10_ProThere are so many wonderful stories that we could share with you that took place this day.  However, we will only be sharing half a dozen in this post, adding more in due course.    WP_20160625_15_44_52_Pro In the Project we found debris of all sorts strewn on the sidewalks, it is a busy area, people sit out in their front yards, on the pavements, standing outside shops, and in a tiny the park nearby, children play, oblivious that there may be danger close by.  And so, we find here a different sort of wealth, it is one of the soul crying out for change. Crying out for a chance for ‘better than this’. This is a people hungry for change”

(In some instances we might not use the person’s real name)

We stopped to speak with two men and a lady, at first they were  reluctant to speak with us, but, as we explained our purpose and  shared some life-changing stories of our prayer patrols, they began to warm towards us. Our first story is about Joe. We soon learned that Joe’s son, of 24 years of age, was brutally killed only two weeks earlier, near to the very spot on which we stood.  WP_20160625_14_54_45_Pro  As you can see from the picture, Joe is a tall, strong man. He has two other sons, and the one they killed was his youngest. He was a broken man. he cried as he shared his story. Joe did not ask for vengeance,  instead, Joe was hoping to see change for better in this neighbourhood. Sister Barbara encouraged and prayed with him. And at one point, it seemed as if he would fall out, so we both held him up. After prayer he allowed us to take photographs with him, and when we shook hands goodbye there was definitely a sense that his healing had begun.

Then there is Brendan, WP_20160625_14_54_26_Prohe is smart, feisty and humorous. It is obvious that he had been drinking, but he is not drunk. He said, “if it’s not about money, you might as well just move on.” But a little while later and after we had been speaking and praying with his friend Joe, he spoke with us and we had the privilege to bless his life, and impart some beautiful prophecies, which was very well received.  Before we moved on he said, “O man, I wish that I was in England wid you guys.” ” O man, this is great!” I assured him that Goodness is everywhere, right there, as the life of God in his breath, and not just in England.  As we hugged him, I knew without a shadow of a doubt, that a transformation had taken place, and that he knew it too.

“We were not permitted to photograph Dorothy, the lady that we met with the two men mentioned above. Dorothy was sitting on top of her makeshift seat, along the sidewalk. She is a pretty lady but her eyes and face are sad and depressed.  She has been drinking, and while I do not wish to judge her, I can smell alcohol on her, however, she is not drunk. She says that she wants a blessing too.

As we began to pray with her, I felt empathy towards her situation and the circumstances which account for her present condition. I felt impressed in my spirit to pray for her grandchildren and to prophesy that they will be the catalyst for change in the family, and not just for her family alone, but for her neighbourhood. I felt  vulnerable in during the prayer because she had not yet shared her personal details with us. And soon as the prayer came to an end, and she could hardly wait to take out her cell phone from her pockets, and showed us a lovely photo of a baby girl.

Dorothy’s face beamed as she told us that she was happy that I mentioned her grandbaby, she says that the baby was  born June 4th and was not yet a month old. We continued in prayer to bless the child, and when we had finished we, we gave her a small  token of blessing for the child.  She tucked it into her pocket and set about telephoning her daughter to tell her of the prophecies. And when I indicated to her that she must see to it that the child receive the gift, she  seemed offended, saying,  “Do you think that I could rob my only grandbaby, who is going to do it for all of us.”

And so we moved on knowing that we definitely were in the right place, and at the right time, for this woman and her family”

WP_20160625_15_30_57_ProWe met up with Apostle Ralph Edwards of  One Way Intl Ministries INC. His Ministry is mainly on the streets but often lends a helping hand to some of the local Churches. WP_20160625_15_33_48_Pro

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Of this derelict site on the left, Rev says, “It shall surely come to pass that this place shall be a place of sanctuary. A place for new life. A space of God.” Apostle Edwards confirmed that 4 years earlier while he was in the area, at a prayer meeting, he heard the Pastor praying very similar words for the site.”

Below : a Picture of Solomon and the Rev

“And so, as came to the end of our New York Queens, South Housing 40’s Project Prayer Patrols, we cross path with a young man, whom we shall Solomon.  As here neared us, we stopped him, to ask for directions.  Courteously he showed us the way, and, as he was moving away, the Rev said that she was prompted in her spirit to talk with him about the work of the Peacemakers Prayer Patrols.

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The young man appeared very interested and was attentive to every word, hardly blinking and for the whole time he did not so much as move a muscle.  He agreed to let us pray with him, he thanked us profusely and  with a confident smile on his face, shook our hand and walked away, head held high.  “That’s a King Solomon in the making. That is if he really gets it,” says the Rev.

Rev’s Prayer

Let love reign, Let Hope Reign. May Peace reign within each soul. Amen.

NEXT PRAYER PATROL – MIAMI USA – in Miami Gardens,  Saturday 9th July, 2016

PEACEMAKERS Prayer Patrols Birthday Tribute and Prayer for the murdered British MP JO Cox

 

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Bunches of yellow orchids in a large ornate vase, a set of three church candles, and a minute silence, as the candles were lit, by Reverend Palmer in memory of MP Jo Cox.

The Rev is who is currently in New York for Saturday’s Prayer Patrols, said that she wished that she was able to attend the Memorial event in London Trafalgar Square today and that it was unfortunate that she also could not to attend the other gatherings being held throughout the US.  WP_20160124_12_59_40_ProHowever, in true Peacemakers fashion,  prayer and thanksgiving were made in memory of Jo Cox,  who would have been 42 years old today.

 

The Tribute

Related image“Birthday remembrance for MP Jo Cox. I light these three candles, each one symbolic of the three spheres of this precious life. The first is for her personal essence which  she called ‘my Self’.  The second, for her role as a Mother – an extension and produce of that self.  And the third, for her ministry, which includes her role as a wife, a daughter, a friend etc. as well as her work and service which she undertook for the good of mankind and in the hope of a better world”

The Prayer

And so as Jo rests in the arms of God, to whom we commend her soul, knowing that she did not live nor hope in vain, we too with hope, as Peacemakers, grieve alongside those that are grieving.  praying hands and candle   We especially wish to remember and pray for her husband, and their children, parents, family and friends, and the global community as they gather in remembrance and celebration of her life.  May Love, Hope and Peace strengthen, and preserve them all at this time, that when the lights of the candles are dim and no more, may the love and hope shared today live on forever.”

“Let justice be done. May the causes for which Jo Cox lived and worked never be forgotten, nor taken lightly, but may the baton be taken up by another with the same vigour, until justice is done, and the equality of the whole human race.” – Rev Palmer

“I give thanks for Life. The human body dies, but the greater reality than this is, ‘LIFE NEVER DIES’. I love this truth. I pray that the truth of this reality will keep our own heart, mind and soul in hope. And in so doing that Life will grant to us in remembering our loved ones which have gone on before us, as not having lived in vain but as even living now, in our thoughts, and by our actions, may see the fruit of those things for which they both lived and died.

I speak Peace now, I let it be, and so it is. Amen”

See > HERE – MP Jo Cox Birthday BBC NEWS

EASTER BUNNIES? Prayer Patrols in Bristol’s Shopping Malls and Suburbs

Teams of Prayer Patrols will once again be seen on walkabouts around the streets of Bristol, over the Easter Holidays.

ppwiderThe first Team is set to carry out their Patrols in the Borough of Easton on (Maundy) Thursday 24th March 2016. They will begin at 5 pm at the bottom Warrick Avenue/Fox Road, at the very spot where they held their first Prayer Vigil.  This was also the launch pad for the Respect4Life March in 2005, in respect of Taxi driver Colin Winstone, husband and father of two that was robbed and brutally stabbed to death. BBC NEWS.

Then in lieu of the tragedy, the Reverend Palmer and members of her tiny Patrol Team at the time, kept vigil daily during the investigative process; and thankfully the perpetrator was brought to justice.  After this, the teams stayed in place and working with other groups and alongside the police, continued to patrol the area.  They were out sometimes up to 4 times per week and several times during a given day, depending on the crime statistics of the day. The area has improved a lot since then.

Somalians join with Patrols in a March for Peace 2010

Whilst the new Patrols will not be going out in order to deal with street crime, in particular, they have made it clear that they are nonetheless just as effective in creating transformation and Peaceful communities, by being a visible presence of inspiration, motivation and Blessing in any area they physically patrol.  Through this website Peacemakers Prayer Patrols have become global agents of change, by creating a service for people to leave their PRAYER REQUESTS and get support at any time.

The ‘Easter Bunnies’ second Prayer Patrol will be on (Good) Friday 25th March 2016, in the St. Paul’s area, starting at Midday outside the Learning Center on Grosvenor Road and ending around 3 pm outside Hamilton House on Stokes Croft.   St Paul’s was the ‘Home ground’ for Prayer Patrols. The Bristol Peace Embassy office and base for all their indoor activities also located here.  See Our History, also the links: Prayer Patrol in the News, and  Bristol M Shed Museum Archives of Prayer Patrol. “St Paul’s has been totally revamped in terms of violent street crime and community safety”.   Says the Rev, “And I am really looking forward to this one.  It should be really interesting”.

The third and final Patrol in this series will take place around the main Shopping Malls in Broadmead and Cabot Circus on (Easter) Saturday 26th March 2016, from 1 pm to 3 pm. Then later at night, the will patrol the Quay, one of Bristol’s main Nightlife, starting at 9 pm.

Bless our cityThe Rev is asking anyone who is interested in going out with a team to get in touch first, either by using the CONTACT US below or by email to peacemakersprayerpatrol@gmail.com

 

 

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