The Condition of My Neighbor

Chicago’s 77 communities (http://thechicago77.com)

There are 228 neighborhoods in Chicago! Before moving to Chicago I didn’t think too much of the term neighborhood! Now, it’s a big part of my life. Knowing the neighborhoods is key to figure out where I’m going. Since studying about the neighborhoods in Chicago, the LORD put it on my heart to pray for them. He was looking for someone to stand in the gap.

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Ezekiel 22:30- So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.

Now I know that it is important that we pray for our neighborhoods.

Neighborhood = Neighbor + hood

-          The definition of neighbor is someone who lives near or is near to another. A neighbor is also someone who shows kindliness or helpfulness toward his or her fellow man.

-          The suffix word hood denotes the state, condition, or character. Also it’s a body of people of a particular character or class

So in other words a neighborhood is the condition of someone who is near your or the condition of a body of people.

Now my question to you is; what is the condition of those around you and do you care enough to pray for them and the land!?

It’s our duty to love the LORD God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind, and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. (Luke 10:27)

I’m reminded of the lawyer who asked Christ Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Luke 10:29

Christ gave the parable of the man who was beaten up on the side of the road. The condition of the man was wounded, stripped, and in need of compassion. Left lying half dead a priest and a Levite would see the man and pass on the other side of the road. But along came a Samaritan man. He seen the wounded man and had compassion on him. Immediately he bandaged his wounds and did everything in his power to help the wounded man. It was this Samaritan who was the neighbor of the wounded man. (Luke 10:30-37)

Just like the Samaritan man, let compassion billow from our hearts to help our neighbors! Let’s pray that God may open our eyes to the condition of our neighbors so that we may pray for our neighborhood!

The Samaritan man seen the condition of his neighbor and Moved with Compassion to act! At the end of Luke chapter 10, Christ Jesus calls us to Go and Do likewise! You may not have the means to help everyone one you see, but what you do have is Direct Access to Father God. So let’s pray for our neighborhoods!!

I live close to what is known as "The Heart of Chicago." I believe that's a perfect place for me to start praying!!

If I’m living in a place and I see the people are wounded and I not doing my part to help, then I’m the one cutting that wound deeper!

Brothers and Sisters let’s pray for our neighborhoods!