By Fletcher Word
The Truth Editor
Among the prayers offered for the victims … and for the city of Toledo during Sunday’s services and informal gatherings was a community prayer organized by Rev. Cedric Broack, pastor of Mt. Nebo Baptist Church.
Brock’s community prayer, held at the corner of Delaware and Lawrence, close by the scene of the shootings, was attended by about 20 Toledoans, including, state Sen. Paula Hicks-Hudson, City Council President Vanice Williams and Councilwoman Erin Kramer.
“Toledo is not a bad place,” Brock reminded those in attendance. “But right now, Toledo looks miserable in the eyesight of the world. We can be better … now is a time for us to pull up.”
Janice Carson, DMin, opened with a prayer asking God to keep the spirit of love within the city.
After the opening prayer, Bishop John Williams of River of Life Church offered his thoughts on the previous day’s violence and the impact on the community.
“We’re actually blessed to be in Toledo,” said Williams. “This issue is not a Toledo issue. It’s demonic warfare and spiritual warfare all over. The rise in gun violence is all over the country.”
Expressing his concern about the fact that the festival could not continue after Saturday’s outbreak of violence, Williams expressed his desire that the Old West End Festival should return “bigger and better and stronger next year.”
Williams also noted that he was encouraged that “although 12 were shot, we didn’t lose one life … Toledo is not a cursed city.”
Then all of the attendees had the opportunity to offer a prayer – they offered prayers of thanks for the overall goodness of Toledoans, prayers of recovery for the victims, prayers of concern for the families of those who had been injured.