I don’t want to give any
extra publicity to a local satanic cult that has taken aim at the Church of
Oklahoma. I will simply say that evil is
real—and that it seems self-evident that Satan is busy causing havoc and
despair, not only in our city, but throughout the world.
That’s why yesterday, for
the feast of the Assumption of Mary, Michael and I joined a crowd of over 1,000
Christian believers for a Unity Walk and Prayer Service in downtown Oklahoma
City.
The ecumenical Christian
event began at the statue named, “And Jesus Wept,” well known as a sign of hope
and healing in this Midwest capital city.
The statue is not only on the grounds of St. Joseph Old
Cathedral—it is also directly across the street from the Oklahoma City National
Memorial, site of the 1995 Murrah Building bombing.
“As we stand here
in this particular place we are reminded of what evil has done to our city and
the lives that it has destroyed. But we are also aware of the good that rests
in every human heart, good that overcomes evil, that seeks healing and
community and peace…
And it is why we
are gathered here today. To stand together against evil and rely upon the
goodness of God in whose image we were created.
He is the source of all that is good and holy. We ask Him to dispel all
darkness and evil of every kind in our city, our nation, and the world.”
~ Father William Novak, pastor,
St. Francis Catholic Church, OkC
At the
standing-room-only ecumenical Prayer Service that followed the walk, pastors
and religious leaders from several different denominations took turns leading
the crowd in specific prayer petitions… for the family; for the state of
Oklahoma and Oklahoma City; for the government; for education; as well as for
racial reconciliation.
From Father Novak’s
prayer for the family:
By your plan you
created the family and you desired that it be a place where one finds
nourishment, protection, support, and love throughout our lives. We ask your continued blessing upon all
families, that the love of husband and wife may bring forth the gift of new
life – that the comfort of mothers and the protection of fathers may be
generously given to their children—and that children may honor their
parents. We ask you to watch over
families who are separated and experience difficulties and hardships; families
that remain divided by hatred, resentments and outside evils. Give to those
families, Lord, the help they need to reunite, forgive, and be patient and
compassionate with one another.
We ask you to
protect families who suffer under poverty, abuse, addictions, neglect, and
violence. Give to these families the desire to seek help, the help they
require, and ongoing support so that they may flourish and prosper
We ask you to give
our city, our nation and the world a deeper respect for the holiness of the
family by extending and enacting laws that protect the dignity and the sanctity
of all human life, from conception to natural death, the sacred institution of
marriage, and the unity of the family that is often under attack from our
overly individualistic and materialistic culture. Help us to always rely on you
o Father of Mercy, for the grace we need in our own families and with one
another, as we work together to build up the family until we are all united, as
one family, in your heavenly kingdom, forever and ever, amen.
Two more things to note
–
first of all, I believe
that the Church of Oklahoma must be doing
something right if the forces of evil and darkness repeatedly take aim
at Oklahoma City!
and finally, here’s a short
video of the enthusiastic crowd singing “Holy, Holy, Holy” during the Unity
Prayer Service:
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