(2nd from Left) Pastor Amos Dickerson with Visiting Pastors, NAACP, Clergy and Church Members *Photo by Carolyn Maxwell

On September 8, 2017 I attended part of the vigil prayer service held at St. James AME Zion Church in Perth Amboy. The most important aspect of that service is the prayers that they were sending to leaders in all fields so that they are guided by the Lord in all their decision making.

What was also important is that men and women are equally important when it comes to guiding children in the correct way of living. If you put God foremost in your life, you can’t go wrong. Everyone has their faults, but in spite of that, you can still rise.

They gave out a special prayer to those women, and, yes, men who were single parents, and they realized that sometimes they are in that position through no fault of their own. But the reality is that if you can be in contact with your child, it is so very important to make that strong connection. Parents should never, ever use their children as a pawn to keep them from seeing a parent that is loving.

I remember having a conversation with my brother-in-law who emphatically told me that if he were to break up with my sister, he would never walk away from their children. “It is my blood that is running through their veins. To walk away from them would be like hating myself because of that blood in them.”

The speakers at this vigil made it clear that men and women have different ways of rearing children and it’s important that both men and women do their part making sure that the child can see the respect between the two of them. I remember my father telling us that he always loved the Lord first because the Lord enabled him to love his wife first and then his children.

The speakers asked that men be strong and become a mentor to the young men who have gone astray in our society. They also recognized how drugs and alcohol have been the downfall of many. They asked for prayers for the teachers in the schools and that they teach their students the correct way to be just. “Don’t just sit back and watch things happen. Stand up for something.”

They asked for prayers for the President and those around him. Speak for those who are rebellious. They also remembered all of the people who have suffered because of the recent hurricanes.

The football season was acknowledged, but they said: “Church first on Sunday – then go home and watch the game.” Special prayers were offered for the elderly in nursing homes, especially for those who have no family who can visit them. Please let the staff of those nursing homes bring the compassion that those residents desperately need.

Remember, God is the answer. C.M.