“And a little child shall lead them.” Four-year-old Chioma Samuel is the youngest Prayer Patrol to date. On her day off from Nursery, she happily accompanies her Mum on the latest round of foot Patrols, in the Barton Hill area of Bristol. Patrolling through the section of a housing estate, with predominantly Muslim Somalian families, the Prayer Patrols found a warm welcome and positive responses.
Pictured left: Chioma admiring the small flowerbed outside the Barton Hill Settlement, the largest community facility in the area.
There were several opportunities to stop, to speak to, and pray with folks along the way.
THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD: Prayer Patrols Blessing the Community with Peace.
One young lady that we spoke to said, ” ..What a lovely idea!”
Just over a year ago this area was at the height of Police investigations and continual focus from the Media. There was a lot of fear and concerns by residents, when body parts of Becky Watts, a young 16-year-old girl were found in a terraced house, on the residential estate. After many weeks of investigations, her killers were caught and sentenced. See HERE for full Story – BBC News
Today, we were joined by a woman who also lives in the area, she told us, how glad she was that we had come to pray in her neighbourhood. She said she there was still a ‘dark eerie feeling’ in the environment. However, at the end of our Patrol, she said she believes that the presence and prayers of the Patrols will help to transform the area, and uplift the mood around the lane .
“Releasing Peace on the scene where innocent blood was shed, is part of what we do,” says the Peacemakers Chief. “This clears the area, recreating a more harmonious environment, and a sense of security and peace within those communities”
May, is a word that works on the subconscious levels to bring us the reality we are seeking. It is ok to say Yes, and the truth is, that you will never know until you do.
“By this way of seeing and revealing, May then becomes a wonderful word of hope, a shift, spring time as grace, an unpredictable action, of many beautiful, spontaneous adventures.”
Minister Shuanna-lee Samuel paying tribute to the memory of Colin Winston, the taxi driver who was brutally robbed and murdered at this very spot, eight years ago. This was also the starting point for the 1st Easton Prayer Patrols.
One person we spoke with asked if we would pray for her to have more patience…even though it sounded like a tall order, we knew that with God all things are possible. We were glad that we could be there for her. I later thought about her request and even though we had had quite a few other requests up to this point, her honesty grabbed my attention and holds it still. Here we were along the main Stapleton Road High Street, with its many shops and businesses, yet not one of these could supply the solution for this young lady’s need. Hers’ was not a commodity to bottled, tinned or packaged. It was not to be found on a shelf nor on the rails in any of these stores. What she needed was to be connected to the Source of Patience, and we were there as a reminder and advocate, to infuse her with comfort and a knowingness, empathy, understanding. And to note that her request is valid. I began to think about how many young mothers like her that had become hooked on drugs as a way out or those that had found themselves taking their frustrations out on their kids or the others that had thrown in the towel when things seemed unbearable, and had completely missed their God given destiny. But thankfully, in this case we were able to administer some encouraging words, prayers and advice. Rev also briefly introduced her to TBP ( a deep breathing technique with affirmations) and there was such a relief on the young woman’s face as walked away with her children. A few minutes later as I pondered about the honesty of the request, her willingness to listen and receive, and the change that I had seen upon her face, I knew that if this was all that happened over the Easter Prayer Patrols Triathon, it would have sufficed, because here we saw hope; a hope that made our hearts to rejoice. Amen.
Praying at the East gate into the City
Pictures in St Paul’s: Praying for safety, prosperity and favor in the newly opened Polish supermarket
The 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.
The 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
