By Message Staff
BATON ROUGE – Amidst the strife and destruction a cowardly shooter caused on Sunday in Baton Rouge, God can work in a mighty way to bring about good to the situation said Pastor Jeff Ginn during a special prayer service Tuesday night.
“There was a man who very recently meant evil and he brought about evil in this community,” said Ginn, pastor of Istrouma Baptist. “It was something Satan intended for evil. It holds in it the carnal for potential division, unrest and destruction.
“But I believe in it all God intends for good,” he continued. “We are His children and the good He intends, He is going to bring part of that through us. That’s the God who we serve.”
Ginn gathered with others inside Istrouma Baptist Church to lift up law enforcement, the community and other needs during a special ‘Night of Prayer.’ The church is one of many throughout Baton Rouge and the state holding prayer gatherings to help the city heal after a gunman fatally shot three law enforcement officers Sunday morning and wounded three others. The shootings took place a little more than a mile from the Church.
On Wednesday, Istrouma Baptist Church will also host a community blood drive at their Baton Rouge campus from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.to help the blood bank restock its blood reserves. That evening, there will be another special ‘Night of Prayer’ at Istrouma’s ‘The Grove’ Campus, located on Hwy 42 in Prairieville, beginning at 7 p.m.
“Heal our city,” Ginn said during his prayer. “Heal our hearts. But it’s going to require of us some repentance and confession. I pray you would make us instruments of peace. And we would go from this place cleansed and ready to be peacemakers in this city.”
Numerous members of law enforcement who attended the event said they were humbled by the outpouring of support shown.
Capt. Michael Cody of the Baton Rouge Police Department said the prayer service was much needed and very appreciated.
“We’ve had an awesome response from the public, a tremendous outpouring of love and support,” said Cody, a member of Istrouma Baptist Church. “Our biggest need right now is prayer and encouragement, which we have received.”
Adam White, deputy superintendent of support for the Louisiana State Police, said the prayer service was extra special because it took place at the church where he is a member.
“This problem we have is a heart problem,” White said. “We all have to have our hearts turned to God. If we turn to the saving grace of Christ, we won’t have to worry as much about the problems in our communities.”
The worship team leads music during a prayer service at Istrouma Baptist Church in Baton Rouge July 19, 2016. Brian Blackwell photo
