In an effort to continue to shed light on the recurring violence in the Indianapolis community, local pastors and religious leaders will gather to unite as one in prayer for the city. The ecumenical prayer will take place Maundy Thursday, April 17 at noon at the Indiana War Memorial, 431 N. Meridian St. Each leader in attendance will be asked to offer a brief prayer.
David Hampton, senior pastor of Light of the World Christian Church and Rev. Rob Fuquay, senior pastor of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church have called on fellow ministers and the entire Indianapolis community to join together to pray against violence.
“Maundy Thursday is a profound time and we seek to gather against violence in unity and love,” said Hampton. “Christ mandated in John 13:34-35 to ‘love one another as I have loved you.’”
In 2013, Indianapolis recorded its highest homicide rate in seven years with 124. The city is on a rapid pace for more than 160 murders this year. During the first seven weeks of 2014, 26 people had been slain, including a 15-hour period in mid-February where eight people lost their lives. Most recently, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police reported 10 shootings April 4-6.
“It is important to involve as many faith communities as we can because violence in our city affects everyone,” said Fuquay. “This is an opportunity for people of faith to lead and come together for something that unites us all: peace. We hope this will lead to efforts that help us deal with root causes of violence.”
