Flint, Michigan, has one of the highest crime rates in the country, high unemployment, and a bleak economic outlook. If there's a city that needs prayer, Flint's it.

In Biblical times, Jesus sent forth His disciples two by two. Responding to His call, Fairhaven Church members similarly went forth to pray for those who needed it most in their community. The members did this in cooperation with a city-wide effort to blanket Flint with prayer warriors.

A consortium of Flint-area churches of various denominations held a Prayer Chain Day on Saturday, August 11. Participating churches were asked to claim a street in the city that branched off of Saginaw Street, a main thoroughfare that runs the entire length of the city of Flint. The prayer warriors were to walk the selected area, knock on doors, and pray for the people they met.

Charles Osborne, Fairhaven Church pastor, stressed the importance of the church getting involved in the Prayer Chain Day event. He abbreviated the Sabbath services at the church, so the members could go minister on the street, like Jesus did. Coinciding with the Prayer Chain Day event, Fairhaven Church leaders purchased T-shirts to provide church members with a uniform identity while out in the public.

The event started out with prayer and praise offered downtown at City Hall. Then the groups of Christian prayer warriors hit the streets to make a difference for Jesus. Three hours later, the prayer warriors gathered once again in front of City Hall for a praise service and to tell their experiences. Some participants told how eager people were to be prayed for. Others said they were shrugged off. And still others shared stories of persons they met who decided to accept Jesus as their Savior.

Chris Stuckey, a Fairhaven Church young person, prayed with an elderly woman and her husband who were experiencing some tough times. "They wanted a blessing to help them make it through," he said.

The Fairhaven Church pastor later learned about a woman who called a Christian Radio station after the Prayer Chain Day. She told the radio host how she was having a difficult time, but a pastor had stopped by to pray with her, an experience she said she would never forget. She noticed his license plate was "Pastor O." The pastor knew she was talking about him, and he was surprised to learn the impact his prayer had on her. He said, "It was important for us to be involved with this project because the Flint community needs to know that we are a part of them and that we are willing to do our part to make a difference."

There are plans in place to make the Prayer Chain Day an annual event. Fairhaven Church members plan to go back to their assigned area a few months after the event to survey community residents to learn how the church can minister to them.

Trevor Schluter is the Fairhaven Church communication director.