This guy did a good job of capturing the spirit of the gathering.
There’s a bunch up there now
Unbelievable!!! From a Catholic!!!
[quote]EACH prayer walk: expect Detroit to rise!
* By Karen Dudek, Detroit Catholic Issues Examiner
* April 16th, 2011 4:24 pm ET
The prayer walk was scheduled to go forward on Saturday, April 16th at 9am rain or shine. The inspiration for the walk came from local TV weatherman, Chuck Gaidica, who, as a part of the EACH campaign (Everyone A Chance to Hear), invited 500 area churches to meet at Comerica Park in downtown Detroit to pray for the city.
But Gaidica’s weather forecast from his own station’s WDIV News, was for a cold and rainy day with showers to be heavy and winds gusting from 20 to 40 mph for the entire morning through to 12:00. It is not the kind of weather anyone enjoys being out in but what can anyone expect for April in Michigan? At 7am, conditions were forbidding: dark and cold and windy. At 8am, it was pouring rain and the skies were covered with dark grey stratus clouds. Winds were gusting as predicted.
By 8:45, rain slowed and at 9am, the dark clouds suddenly cleared over Comerica Park. The rain ceased and the wind was still. Blue sky appeared and a brilliant sunlight began to brighten the park. The turnout was great: estimated to be between 15,000 to 20,000 people and though clouds remained in the area, not a drop fell on the crowd as they began to pray and worship right on schedule.
Singing, How Great is our God! and Open the Eyes of my Heart Lord. Those who had made the pilgrimage: men, women, children, seniors, of all races and denominations worshiped God together lifting their hands in praise and worship.
Several speakers emphasized the weather phenomenon and the message it implies: that we need to rely on God to help us in our need. Scott McKee said, I came prepared for rain but I may have to break out the sunscreen! A sudden burst of sunbeams through the clouds caused the crowd to cheer at this remark. It was obvious to everyone who came bearing umbrellas and rain gear that this was a sign that God was blessing the assembly and the mission.
Pastor Bob Shirock reminded those gathered that when St. Paul prayed in prison, he did not ask to be set free but for the Gospel to go forward. Only God can open the door to the human heart! he said and he asked the assembly to pray for this together; that God would open the doors to hearts in Detroit.
Attorney Shannon Holmes, Chief of staff to mayor Dave Bing and Director of Detroit’s Human Resources Department spoke about the trouble in Detroit but recited 2 Chronicles 7:14 "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Ms. Holmes gave the crowd a word regarding the power of a believer acting in faith: Because God is in control of my life, he is going to be able to do great things for the city of Detroit!
Based on the belief that our problems are too big to solve ourselves, that the problems in the city have a spiritual dimension that no taxation or green car technology can fix, the EACH campaign is a plan to resurrect the city by God’s help.
Beginning with prayer, the EACH program leads to volunteer action and so serve the needs of their neighbors to share the message of Jesus with the world.
Pastor Shirock said, The world is watching Detroit to see how it can rise from the dead. We want them to see Jesus! We must have hope in Him, our foundation. Then we will see miracles!
The walk down Woodward Avenue to the Spirit of Detroit statue and back was peaceful. People walked quietly praying for various needs. At the Spirit of Detroit, groups bowed their heads and prayed together. The round trip took about one hour and people assembled once again at Comerica Park to hear the EACH message to volunteer and serve. The walk was finished. Then the rain began again.
St. Paul’s prayer to the Ephesians is so fitting for the city of Detroit: I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you¦For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.[/quote]