Who
are gangs/gangsters? What makes up ‘a gang?’
According to Wikipedia – “A gang is a group of good friends or family with identifiable
leadership and internal organization, identifying with or claiming control over
territory in a community, and engaging either individually or collectively in
violent or illegal behaviour.” Gang leaders get
their junior members to do dangerous things. Members talk about being part of a
family, but they can turn their backs on each other in a heartbeat.
Youth
gangs control crime on the streets.
They deal in drugs, prostitution, and are involved in other illegal activities.
Gang members lead very dangerous lives. They carry weapons (knives, guns),
steal cars and other property, and are always on the run—from the police and
other gang members. Discrimination and racist attitudes are behind some gang
violence.
According to the UK Home Office, along with other government
departments, imminent work is going on to reduce gang and youth violence in
England and Wales. “Too many young lives
are blighted by violent crime. Gang members carry out half of all shootings in
the capital and 22% of all serious violence. We want to reduce gang-related
crime and stop young people becoming involved in violence. We are committed to
making our communities safer places for everyone.”
Any
reference to them in the Bible? What does the word of God say concerning them –
their characters? Psalms 1:1; Proverbs
1:10-19; Proverbs 13:20; 1 Corinthians 15:33; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17; 2 Timothy
2:26; Psalms 11:5.
Ungodly;
sinful ways; scorners.
Loves
shedding blood; waylay the innocent for no reason; evil-minded; greedy.
Foolish
and bad company of friends leading them into trouble.
They
become entrapped by the devil and become captives of his will.
Love
violence with all passion.
Letter from a desperate youth seeking repentance.
“I'm a gang member. I do dope, drink, and fight.
The police have brought me in for many things including attempted murder. I've
never been charged with anything because the victims have always dropped the
charges. In gang fights, I've almost killed people, but I've never gone that
far. My parents know none of this. Can God really save me from all the crimes
I've done? There have been some crimes I've committed and no one knew about
them. Does God know? Can I still go to heaven even though people call me a
convicted criminal? I also want to know if there is a way out of the gangs.
Please help me.” — Name withheld [extract from Christian
Answer.net]
Is
there hope even for this nation of gangs or gangsters? Yes, the same mercy and
grace that located Saul of Tarsus is available unto/for them.
See
how Jesus met him – Acts 7:58 [he
was the overseer of the coats of the executioners who stoned Stephen to death.
See
how he became wild in his sinful ways - Acts
8:1-3.
See
how the Lord of Host called him to reckoning - Acts 9: 1-6.
See
what God told Ananias about Paul – verse
15-16 of Acts 9.
See
the testimony of Paul as he said to Agrippa as it is written – Acts 26:9-20 (TLB).
Prayers
Having
called them out – having called out all these God’s generals
(Moses/Samuels/Pauls) – having called out these seed of revival that are in the
hands of God, let us pray unto God in mercy:
1. Lord, baptize
them with Your Gospel of Your grace – salvation – born again.
2. Lord, activate
Your divine repentance into their hearts; baptize them unto Your gospel of repentance,
keep them at the place of the Cross.
3. Hebrews 8:10-11 (TLB) – Write Your laws into their hearts so that
they will know what You want them to do; keep Your laws in their hearts O Lord
for them to obey; be merciful to them in their wrongdoings and remember their
sin no more as it is written concerning them; baptize them in and with Your
righteousness so that they will walk into Your will for their life.
4. Draw them unto
You – the Cross – Your Calvary life, so that the Gospel of Your kingdom will
come to them too, and they will be granted the grace to live Your kingdom life
and lifestyle.
Join this HeartCry Prayer - Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 11:30am - 1:30pm (UK time)
Join this HeartCry Prayer - Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 11:30am - 1:30pm (UK time)
