Praying About Knife Crime

Apr 29 – Father, we reflect on the escalation in knife and gang attacks in many places, in major cities, and in the school in Wales last week. We acknowledge the seriousness of these events for anyone, and everyone, caught up in them.

Many young people are afraid, and thus carry knives thinking that by doing so they will protect themselves; whereas actually, those who carry knives are much more likely to be stabbed, injured or threatened. May these truths sink in.

Bless the community workers, police and youth services who are seeking to address these problems. We thank You for the churches and Christians who are engaging in the issues seeking to bring Your love and hope to those affected.

Bless, guide and empower their efforts so that a genuine change begins to happen across this nation leading to a reduction in knife crime. We pray also that instead of young people joining gangs, that other ways of belonging will be found for them, especially through Christian youth ministries, and church youth works and groups. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Apr 30 – Father, we pray for those areas of our nation where gang culture is deeply embedded with many young people having no choice but to join or submit to the gangs and their leaders.

The initiation ceremonies to prove allegiance can be terrible, humiliating and lead to crime, especially around drug dealing and misuse. As we think of the aimlessness of many young people’s lives, the poor role models they have, and the lack of opportunities to grow and develop – we confess these issues before You.

We pray for a cleansing of any negative, evil and sinful mind set. May repentance and faith in Christ replace these. As such, we pray for a renewal of the desire to live righteously in goodness and with decency.

We pray for the opening up of opportunities to develop, flourish and live good, productive lives which honour Christ. In His name. Amen.

May 1 – Father, we pray today for those families who have lost family members to knife crime. The pain and heartache of such loss in such a senseless way must be terrible to bear.

For those not coping, or full of anger and bitterness – may the healing balm of Christ fill their lives as they reach out to You. For those who are struggling to adapt to life without their son or daughter, partner, or their close friend or neighbour – may You strengthen and uphold them.

We pray for Your compassion and presence with them. May many turn to Christ for salvation. In Jesus’ name. Amen

May 2 – Father, as we consider the statistics which tell us of an 81% increase in recorded knife crime in the 10 years to December 2023 in England and Wales, help us to properly realise the size and nature of the problem.

Statistics tell https://benkinsella.org.uk/knife-crime-statistics/ of a 7% increase in recorded knife crime in 2023; in the twelve months to March 2023 in England and Wales, 78 young people under 25 were murdered by knives – 10 under the age of 16.

There were 3520 convictions for knife crime among 10-17 year olds. These statistics don’t tell of those who are carrying but have not got caught, or threatened but who have not reported it for fear of retribution, or feel there is no point in doing so, or see it as a wrong thing to do.

May this all change so people report what has happened, and proper action is taken by the authorities to bring the guilty to account for their actions.

Lord, we lay these numbers before You because they speak of individuals and groups who are living in the shadow of knife crime. May the light of Christ dispel these dark shadows in our communities, and set people free from the blight of our young people carrying weapons. In Jesus’ name. Amen

May 3 – Father, as we have been praying through some of the issues surrounding knife crime, and the culture of fear it creates, we acknowledge that some carry because of fear of others – while others carry for prestige, status or kudos.

The latter believe that carrying a weapon increases their importance and makes them feel significant – the former are terrified of being attacked with no means to defend themselves.

Yet, statistics also say that those who carry a weapon are much more likely to be stabbed or injured because of knife crime. A knife is not a guarantee of safety. In fact, it can attract trouble – those who live by the sword are likely die by it.

We pray for a breaking of the stronghold of the mind set linked to the prestige associated with carrying a weapon, particularly knives; and a growing realisation that knives do not protect.

May a new generation of young people grow up understanding the darkness and destruction associated with carrying knives or being part of a gang who regularly are involved in nefarious crimes involving sex, drugs and violence.

We pray for redemption and a cleansing of such outlooks. May many turn to Christ, and be filled with Your Holy Spirit walking in His power dressed in the armour of God. In Jesus’ name. Amen 

May 4 – Father, we think of some of the underlying causes for such rises in knife crime. We bring these to You asking for a spiritual renewal leading to many turning to Christ living out His values and creeds in their communities.

We pray about poor role models, whether absent fathers, mothers who lives are chaotic, the absence of good community engagement and cohesion, or seeing the authorities as distant or uncaring. Transform our families and communities through the power of Christ.

May adults be able to see beyond themselves, and see their pivotal position in the wider communities within which they live. We pray for people to really become secure in their identity in Christ, secure in their value, and secure in reaching out to young people with love, care and a good example.

Open a door for the UK Church to become even more pivotal in this whole process of addressing the causes of the rise in knife and gang crime. May Your Church become the leading cause for turning this all around so Your Kingdom comes and Your will is done in our families and communities. In Jesus’ name. Amen

May 5 – Father, we pray that the enemies of the Cross will be exposed and dethroned. May many of them come in repentance to redemption and a saving faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

These enemies of the cross are often those who are profiting from lawlessness in our communities. It also includes figures in the media who make films or music and videos which promote violence and gang culture, extolling those who are in gangs, or who use violence, or whose lives find value in what they own – how they are perceived to be successful and attractive. ‘Bad company corrupts good character’ (1 Corinthians 15:33).

The company young people keep profoundly affects their outlook on life. Who their heroes are affects what they aim for in life. Who they seek to emulate, what they value and feel is important – and how they see their heroes treat others, is how they will then treat others.

We pray for protection over our young people. We pray for heroes of faith to be their role models. We pray for godly values and goodness to be at the heart of who they aim to be. We pray that they will treat others with respect and dignity in Christ. Amen.