ST. LOUIS – Recently prayer warriors met in four locations in St. Louis to pray for the city.
“We have a burden for the region,” Ed Moncada, international student strategist for the Missouri Baptist Convention, said. “We are serious about praying for the transforming of the city. We want to see St. Louis experience genuine revival and spiritual renewal.”
Prayer walkers met in the Maplewood area, the downtown St. Louis area, the Crestwood area, and in Northeast Florissant area.
“We didn’t want to meet in a church or thriving area,” Moncada explained. “We wanted to prayer walk in an area of spiritual darkness.”
Moncada’s group prayer walked the almost-vacant Crestwood shopping mall.
“We had a sweet time of fellowship and prayer walking with others made our prayer stronger,” he said.
According to Moncada, the sharing of memories of an active mall contributed to the symbolism of the condition of the city.
“Most of us praying remembered a mall that was always busy and had a full parking lot,” he said, “but now, the mall represents the needs of Crestwood and the rest of the city. Businesses, government, families, churches in the region are struggling with the economy and the spiritual darkness.”
Changing prayer partners made the prayers more personal.
“We were able to share struggles and concerns both personal and ministerial,” Moncada said. “The unity of our prayers reflects the unity of believers that I’ve seen in our city. I’ve watched the barometer of praying in the city and I’ve seen the full spectrum of prayer. Because of the trials and needs of the local church, we are praying and working together more. Prayer is important with everybody and it is essential to overcome the darkness.”
The morning walk was personal to Moncada.
“My current pastor, John Childers of South County, walked with us and Kevin Pratt, pastor/elder, of a non-denominational church down the street prayed with us,” he said. “Kevin worked in the Baptist Student Union when I was in college and he prayed with me to accept Jesus. I’ve worked with him in missions recently.”
The prayer walkers witnessed to exercise walkers in the mall.
“About 25 people were walking the mall,” Moncada said. “They could hear us praying as they passed us or if we passed them. As we were leaving that day, three of us gathered at the entrance to the mall to pray for our city.
“I have a passion and a heart for the city. It was a sweet experience to share this time with others with a like mind. Sharing this prayer time in a place symbolic of the darkness in the city and the nation will result in the transforming of hearts.”