STOCKTON–
Dozens gathered at Martin Luther King Jr. Plaza in Stockton Saturday to pray for the city that is now reaching its 66th murder.
Bernice Bass and Anita Moore called on pastors and residents to take up their Bibles and turn to the Lord for guidance, wisdom and supernatural change.
“I believe praying out loud is to loose the devil. He has to flee from Stockton. He has no victory here,” said Bass. “I am tired of the violence. I’m tired of the crime. I’m tired of seeing these kids go to prison.”
“We’re praying for everything in Stockton like the finances. We are praying for the leaders that just got sworn in,” said Moore.
It started with two people. But, by noon dozens were praying and walking.
Some, like Tyra Vickers, spoke to the crowd. She lost her brother in Stockton last year.
“Every time I read about it in the paper or hear about it on Facebook I immediately stop what I am doing and start praying,” Vickers said of other families who have lost loved ones to the violence.
Even Lars Knutsen of Elk Grove came, sounding his horn to join the group.
“The spirit of God told me to come and support these women. I call them the Esther’s of God,” said Knutsen.
For most, seeing change leads to believing. But for this group, you believe before you see.