Bevin calls for prayer groups to combat violence

LOUISVILLE — Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin called on the “power of prayer” to help combat Louisville’s rising murder rate as he urged people to form prayer groups to walk high-crime neighborhoods.

His plan, outlined at a community meeting, was met with a mix of support and derision. Bevin urged volunteers to form teams of 3-10 people that pick the same block to walk at the same time of day, at least two or three times a week. He urged participants to make a yearlong commitment.

“Go around the block, pause on each corner, pray for the people there, move to the next corner,” Bevin said later in describing his plan to reporters at a city park. “And over the course of the year, here’s what’s going to happen — they’re going to get to know the people on the block.”

Bevin, a socially conservative Republican, said it’s a chance for “people of faith to put their faith to work.” He hopes residents from the neighborhoods walk with people living elsewhere.

Read more: http://www.state-journal.com/2017/06/01/bevin-calls-for-prayer-groups-to-combat-violence/