Fighting Crime! ...with Prayer?

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/winnipeg-police-chief-proposes-prayer-help-combat-crime-112348471.html

Winnipeg police Chief Devon Clunis has openly called upon the people of Winnipeg to begin praying. Why? Because he believes that it will help reduce crime and violence. Clunis is quoted as saying, "If you're praying for your neighbour, I don't think you'll be out there hating your neighbour or fighting with your neighbour," he added."If you are praying for your neighbour, you'll say, 'OK, I'm praying, but how can I practically do something to impact my neighbour's well-being?'"

Would it surprise you if I also told you that Chief Clunis is a Christian? Of course the skeptics and naysayers are also quoted as saying that Clunis should keep his faith to himself while holding a high-profile public office. They say: "No one chose him to be police of our souls," but my question is, isn't this a perfect example of what Christians everywhere should be doing?

No, I'm not referring to being a police chief (at least not solely), I'm referring to being open and candid about our faith in God and the power of prayer in whatever position in life we happen to hold. Now, pastors like me say stuff like this all the time, but people expect us to tell people to pray more so it loses some of it's impact. But when someone in the position of the Chief of Police of the City of Winnipeg say's something like that, people notice. In fact I would go so far as to say that his simple words of faith had more impact for advancing the Kingdom of Heaven in Winnipeg (and remember that I say the next part as a preacher) than all of the sermons preached last Sunday in the city combined!

I believe that as Christians who believe that Jesus Christ is the answer for all people, we need to take Chief Clunis' advice and pray, pray, and then pray some more. And while we're at it, I believe that we also need to follow his example, whether police chief, pastor, pig farmer, pediatrician, pilot or plumber and be open and candid about your faith in God and the power of prayer.