Before the Thanksgiving holiday, we broke into groups with the teens to find out what they were thankful for and how they were celebrating their holiday. Often when breaking into groups, we spend a good chunk of time calming down the squirming that naturally comes with the territory of being a teenager.  

I had a group of 9th graders. At the beginning of our group time, they laughed and poked fun of each other. I guess the insecurity of facing your peers in a circled up group brings this out in teenage boys!   

Before I ended the group time, I asked them if I could pray for them about anything. It started out with joking, but then one boy said, "You can pray that black people will stop killing black people." When he said those open and honest words, I knew it was one of those doors that only God could open.   

I began to ask questions about how they felt about this and if they experienced fear in this area. They all said, "Yes, especially if we go to other areas of the city. You never know, we could get shot. We feel safer walking in groups, rather than alone." I told them that I understood how they felt. After living in John DeShields in East St. Louis for over four years, there were times I experienced fear. But, I don't think I will ever fully know how they feel.    

I had the truth of God's Word constantly in my face about His protection and that gave me a HUGE sense of security. They are just beginning to learn to rely on God for protection. Their culture and the way they were raised tell them to fight for their own, rely on yourself and your people for protection, rely on weapons and bullying, but this often proves to end in disaster and failure.  

We all bowed our heads and I prayed over them for God to protect and surround them with His angels, as well as lead and order their steps in the way of wisdom. We left with hugs and I could tell that a bond was formed between these boys and myself.