City voices

by Charles Lyons

Every Sunday at Armitage Baptist, here in the heart of Chicago, we invite peo­ple to give us their prayer requests and praise reports. What follows is a glimpse into our world. Here is a sampling of these unedited notes, minus the often near-illegible handwrit­ing and names. (Editor’s note – Some of these communications may be difficult to decipher due to grammar, spelling, etc. These are not typos. They reflect the reality of the life situa­tions of the communicators.)

Please pray for the peace and safety of the ___ family in Guatemala. The husband was murder on Thursday. Now wife is being treatned.

I struggle with same sex attraction. I meet very few Christians who understand how to deal with this delicate struggle so I prefer to remain anonymous. With this, I’ve been bitter at the Christian community. Not mad at God, but at His people, as there’s so much misconception or ignorance. Please pray that I’d get past my resentment at the community and be able to draw near to God. That God would change and open my heart for Him to make a recommit­ment to Him, to repent, to confess, and to sur­render my life to Him. I’m very far from Him.

My praise is that God spared my husband’s life. He was in jail and the inmates beat him and almost killed him. Please pray for his salvation.

After having a hard week and being depress I came to church at night and hearing the men sining He is able blessed me. This last week when I had a bad day I remeber that song He is able and that help me make it threw the week.

I have been delivered from drug abuse and crazy street lifestyles. Now by God’s grace I have a wonderful intimate personal relation­ship with the One and only true merciful God.

My sisters friend is having problems at home her parents yell at her and she is in foster care. And she has run away from home a lot.

Grampa: he sick Mom: help her, and let her make a decision for me to go live with my dad and God let her say yes Dad: take care of him everyday because a lot of things are happening (13 yrs old).

Prayer request for those affected by senseless death of _____, my son’s friend. Peace and com­fort to Chris’ family and friends during this ter­rible loss. LORD Jesus help the police dept in search of the guilty parties.

Please keep me in prayer for salvation

and for me to accept Jesus as my personal Sav­ior while I’m in Boot Camp for the Navy I going to Graduation Boot Camp in 3 wks pray that I have the endurance to keep up the path Im on Thank you

This lady is in serious bondage to crack-cocaine. She is open to any help. She has been to New Life but left because her husband was stealing her money from bank and she left. (Her # is disconnected until Tuesday.) Thank you.

I would just like for someone to pray for my family. I can’t seem to find a job, my gas is going to be disconnected. My fiancée is locked up away from his family. And just for us to contin­ue to be strong, loved, save and together.

On Thursday people broke into my apt and stole some irreplaceable jewelry. This act has raised the question of whether I need to move. Please pray with me and for me about guidance. What is God doing now? If I need to move, where? How soon? Obviously this incident has raised lots of questions.

Last month I ask for prayer for my husband who was going to trial because the cops were lie­ing saying that he physical assaulted them. He faced up to a year in jail if convicted. I want to thank you all for praying for him. His trial was on the 14th and before the trial could even begin the prosecutor dropped the charges and the case was thrown out. Thank you for your prayers.

Please pray for me, _______, and my mother ______ also to get a better paying job. My 65 inch TV also. Pray that & get the money for it and me and mother to get two bedroom Apart­ment some where close around here. I hope I get saved soon.

A prayer request for _____ for his mother had died of an overdose of speed and cocain which led to a suvear heart attack which evendently led to her Death. Thank you

Sister pregnant & being beaten by boyfriend. Sister smoking weed & drinking, needs the Lord

Pray for these, and for those who minister among them.