Pastor Hannah brings prayer heat to the 79th Street “hot spot”

Prayer warriors: ‘Honk if you need prayer’

By Chinta Strausberg

More than 200 members and supporters of Pastor John Hannah, head of the New Life Covenant Church Saturday marched from Cottage Grove to King Drive along 79^th Street Hannah described as a “hot spot” for crime.

They carried signs that read, “Honk your horn if you need prayer,” and where the members prayed and screamed out “we reverse the curse of the enemy” as they marched along the 79^th commercial strip where just May 13^th, 19-year-old Brandon Byars was shot while standing in a fast food chicken store located on the 400 block of East 79^th Street.

Pastor Hannah said, “We want to cover our city with prayter. We know that Chicago is filled with violence so we wanted to make sure we come out before the summer even starts to make sure we cover our community.”

Labeling 79^th Street a “hot street,” Hannah said, “There is a lot of violence on this street, a lot of liquor stores and a lot of guys hanging out on covers, so we want to cover this street with prayer. This street is hot and the only way it can be changed is with prayer.”

“We want to let them know that God is in control, and they need to turn to him,” said one marcher who wanted only to be identified as Sade N. “There are so many kids dying on this street. We had a lady to come down from her house and say thank you for doing this. We had six kids who died just a few months ago. It’s time to bring it to the streets and let them know that God is God.”

Brianna Seates, 12, said, “We are praying for people and pray that they won’t” shoot or kill any more people.

Chinta Strausberg is a Journalist of more than 33-years, a former political reporter and a current PCC Network talk show host. You can e-mail Strausberg at: Chintabernie@aol.com.