FRANKLIN, Tennessee–The congregation of the Fourth Avenue Church of Christ closed its worship service by praying over the Franklin, Tennessee Police Department, Breitbart reports.
Some 350 church goers made their way three blocks from the church building to the front steps of police headquarters on Columbia Avenue, where they were met by the chief of police and several on duty officers, who warmly received them.
Senior Pastor Patrick Mead explains why the church thinks it is important to pray for local police officers, two days after the fourteenth anniversary of the 9-11 terrorist attacks.
“I’ve met with dozens of police officers and federal agents in the last two months and heard from them how they have felt a increasing sense of danger and a loss of support from the community,” Mead tells Breitbart News.
“Much of this has been due to the #blacklivesmatter movement but it has also been the result of several negative reports from mainstream media sources where the police have been portrayed negatively. At my congregation, Fourth Avenue Church of Christ, we have a dedicated Prayer Team that meets several times a week to pray for specific people and needs. I thought it would be a good gesture of support — and reveal our hearts — if we prayed in front of our local police headquarters,” Mead explains.
Source: Church Prays Over Police Department – Breitbart