PRAY TO GOD!
 

Praying to God is a great idea, but I am interested to know exactly what you would pray. If you are doing the work of an intercessor, then that is one thing - But, praying for God to do something that it is our job to do is another...
 

First, improve the funding to schools, adult-education, and other social programs. Those who have jobs, roofs over their heads, and food are less likely to be violent.

Second, be an example of non-violence. Pray, meditate. Practice loving kindness.

Third, maybe most important, listen.

I don't think we listen enough to people to understand what anger and frustrations underpin violence. Of course there will always be those who are violent. It is part of our human nature and range.

I see violence as a reactiion against anger, frustration, hopelessness, maybe even sadness.

Violence has been a plague of humanity for centuries, there will be no easy solution.

Om mani padme om. Tibetan chant wishing peace and loving kindness to all beings.
 

I agree with every point made. My only (internal) question is: Will the violence ever go away? The Bible says that it will, but that will signify the arival of the Anti Christ. Personally, I don't think that it will ever go anywhere, but I do plan to do my part in contributing to peace within our cities. I believe that witnessing to the lost along with all of the previous suggestions will help put a dent in this immense obsticle. And along with your orral witness, we should be doing our best to bring as many to Christ as we can through repentance, confession and belief (Rom. 10:9). Think about it, the more people there are living for God, the less you have commiting acts of violence. So, lets go get em!!
 

For everyone following this thread, please check out this post and sound off! I hope we can bring some change and understanding to this situation...
 

I had the same exact thoughts with the originator of this thread. I commend the step of meeting but you need to go to the source of the problem, which is the hood or the block. I believe that 90% of the church ( i mean followers of Christ) are scared of the hood from which they come from or mainly to sadity to get out there. I challenge people in the church to step out and reconnect with the hood, they are waiting for us to do something.
 

I feel that if you want to stop violence you need to go the root of the problem. If there is areas where youth violence is high, go there! Dont rally and counsel with the ones that arent apart of the violence, go directly to the source.