Murder is murder, but like I've shared with many here in my adopted home of Chicago, though Detroit may have an infamous reputation of being the "murder capitol;" its percentages are skewed because of its smaller population amongst other large urban populations across America. Chicago has seen a 35% increase this year in deaths resulting from gun violence over this same time in 2011. So far, there have been 228 gun murders in the city, percentage wise more than LA and NY (5/30/2012 stat 208 murders = 7.7 per 100,000 people compared to 3.2 in LA and 1.9 in NY). Detroit currently has 149 murders or 3.5 per 100,000 people through 6/10/2012 (Detroit Police Dept. stat). Detroit may have its woes, but Chicago is also seeing its share in 2012 with more national spotlight.
Pray for the violence to cease in both my hometowns and across this nation. Pray for the families and victims who are left with the pieces. Pray for our children to have a safe summer, that they can play again. Pray for law enforcement that they have the strength, grace, and humility to justly police the streets (not just for NATO summits and high profile weddings). Pray for local governments to support its own police department, to get more officers on the streets, to stop de-funding neighborhood programs that help stem the tide. Pray for community activists and local churches to not grow weary in fighting the good fight.
To my friends in places like Baltimore, DC, B'Ham, N'Orleans, St. Louis, Memphis, Cleveland and Houston: What is the outlook there? Pray that the Father will stem the tide in our cities. Five hundred in Chicago is very possible. Father, save our cities and the people in them.
Job 24:14 "The murderer rises before it is light, that he may kill the poor and needy, and in the night he is like a thief."
Deuteronomy 21:7-9 "...and they shall testify, ‘Our hands did not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see it shed. Accept atonement, O Lord, for your people [ ], whom you have redeemed, and do not set the guilt of innocent blood in the midst of your people [ ], so that their blood guilt be atoned for.’ So you shall purge the guilt of innocent blood from your midst, when you do what is right in the sight of the Lord."
The context here is [Israel]. However in the new covenant, atonement and redemption is secured through the blood of Jesus Christ for all people, particularly to those who believe and receive this atonement. The principle here encourages the redeemed to intercede for the city, its blood-guilt, victims and families as Jesus did on our behalf.
Jeremiah 29:7 "But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare."
http://www.thedaily.com/page/2012/06/15/061512-news-chicago-murders-knowles-1-3/
WILD WEST IN CHICAGO www.thedaily.com City officials fight back as murder rate outstrips N.Y., L.A. – even Kabul
