Last night we saw the copy-cat riots take place in our city. Children as young as 9 were alleged to be out on the streets with the looters, enjoying stealing goods, destroying both privately and publicly- owned property.

As I have been praying into this today I was reminded that two months ago a couple of us planted scriptures in Piccadilly Gardens… “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it,” was one I planted into the ground.

I still think this is true today. Manchester is GOD’S. Good to remember and trust. We have nothing to fear.

But why are young people taking to the streets?

In my opinion, for many reasons:
1. They can. No-one is stopping them.
2. They have nothing better to do.
3. Gang mentality rules… “If he is going, I will go too. Innit.”
4. The computer games that are available for young people and children are increasingly violent and celebrate street crime.
5. Access to social media sites and messenger techniques to gather trouble-makers.
6. Poor economic climate and lack of hope for a job.
7. Poor role models and discipline.
8. Labelling by society as “mindless” which is untrue and unhelpful, leading to a “If I am called that, I might as well act like that mentality”

No-one is mindless – we can be thought-less, but NEVER mind-less. God created everyone with a MIND!!! Its what we do with it that matters!

This was NOT people not thinking at all. It was young people thinking very definitely indeed about money, themselves and having a laugh.

So, as Manchester starts the clean up, lots of people will be talking and blaming and pontificating.

Who is to blame? Who should carry the can?
I read something this morning by a guy that said, “I will not help to clean up my city. That is the Government’s job. No more cuts.”

Sheesh!
Others are, of course, fully intending to travel by tram and bus (now fully restored services) into town to meet at Piccadilly Gardens (FUNNY THAT) to start the clean up operation.

Another person said,
“What I don’t get is that people with £100 trainers and £300 smart phones are complaining about poverty.”

I want to suggest three things:

1. As the church, we have never been MORE needed. We can and should lead the way in being part of the solution to this problem.

2. We need to help people understand that what they watch has a huge affect on their behaviour. Many of the games available on consoles today (such as Grand Theft Auto) are about the destruction of property; others celebrate street crime.

Animators are given awards for their realism. Police, parents, youth leaders and communities may not be quite so willing to applaud this realism today. I don’t blame the makers of such games for riots in Salford, but I am certain with every fibre of my being, that they don’t help society care for itself.

3. We need not just to be berating the rioting, but to point to good news stories and charities that genuinely transform lives like The Message, Ngage and ROC. We can’t just join others in moaning about bad news, or our dystopian streets, we must show GOOD news in action.

Join with me in praying and fasting urgently for our city. Good will come of this as ordinary people rise up and bring their dust pans, brushes and energy to bear. Let’s pray against more crime, and against communities taking action which may escalate the problem.

Pray specifically for:
1. Great conversations to spring up around the city that highlight people’s need for God and His ways.
2. Churches across Manchester to stand up together in unity.
3. The birth of a new heart in Manchester to be the solution to the problems for young people across our nation.
4. Prayer and intercession to rise up.
5. God’s peace to descend.
6. The emergency services to be well-led and to recover well from the last few days and plan ahead.
7. For the troubles to subside.

Another scripture we planted in Piccadilly Gardens was from Isaiah 61. We planted the part about the Oaks of righteousness, but check this out in context:

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favour
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion””
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of his splendor.
They will rebuild the ancient ruins
and restore the places long devastated;
they will renew the ruined cities
that have been devastated for generations.

Praise God for His amazing word!

DO NOT BE AFRAID MANCHESTER. THE LORD YOUR GOD IS WITH YOU.