Youth Proclaim that God Occupies Wall Street Too

On Saturday, October 29, 2,000+ young people will prayer walk the streets of Manhattan with t-shirts that proclaim: “God Belongs in My
City.”

At the same time, thousands of other young people will be entering their seventh week encamped at Liberty Square in Manhattan’s Financial District under the banner Occupy Wall Street. Their cry for economic justice that began on September 17, has so far inspired similar demonstrations in 100 US cities and 1,500 cities around the world.

The GBIMC prayer route, planned months in advance, walks right past Liberty Square.

The GBIMC organizers have embraced the idea that they cannot walk past the OWS Occupiers and ignore what’s happening in their City. Especially since the God who Belongs in New York and elsewhere cares about poverty too. Nor should they pray for or against the occupiers from the outskirts when they are otherwise celebrating a God who dwells among us.

For these reasons, they have chosen to engage. Below is their prayer for the day. Please join them in proclaiming God’s heart for justice in ever city and community throughout the nation and world.

Wall Street Prayer Reflection: A Just World

Today we pray in solidarity with Occupy Wall Street and those who occupy the offices along Wall Street, Main Street, and every street.

We pray as Jesus taught His disciples:

“Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Our prayer aligns with the Gospel Jesus preached:

“The Kingdom of God is at hand.”

The Kingdom He’s building – on earth, not just in heaven – rests on a foundational mission:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
BECAUSE he has anointed me to preach
GOOD NEWS to the poor
… freedom for prisoners
… sight for the blind
… to release the oppressed, and
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

We embrace Jesus’ Kingdom vision for a renewed New York City, nation, and world that restores justice for:
• The poor
• The incarcerated
• The sick and infirmed
• The oppressed, put down, and neglected
• The 600,000 children who cannot read or do math at grade level in our city’s schools each year.

We embrace the Year of the Lord’s Favor which proclaims JUBILEE JUSTICE that forgives debts and restores equities.

Not only for Wall Street bankers, but for developing nations and credit dependent New Yorkers.

Let us renew a vision – both as Christ followers and as New Yorkers – to create a more just city. Indeed, a more just world. One that rights the underlying wrongs that perpetuate injustices everyday. One grounded in the Old Testament truth conveyed by the prophets:

“What does the Lord require of us?”
“To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
“For I the Lord love justice.”

In Christ’s name we pray.

Learn more about God Belongs in My City online here.

QUESTION: How are you praying for and otherwise engaging cries for justice in your community?

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