Near West Side

Thanks for joining me today to intentionally pray for the city of Chicago.  I missed a post last week because of a busy schedule, for that I am sorry.  My goal is to still post every Wednesday.

United Center with Near West Side in the background.

This week the focus is on the Near West Side community. This is the area next to the Loop in downtown, west of the Chicago River.  Some of the areas within this community are Fulton River District, Greektown, Little Italy, Illinois Medical District and University Village. There you will find the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) and several hospitals. It is also the home of companies like Boeing and Oprah’s Harpo Studios and the home of the United Center where the Bulls and Blackhawks play.  It also has an interesting history in that the Great Chicago Fire started in this area.

The Near West Side Community has so much within it that we could focus on in prayer.  There is one thing I have felt like we should pray about for this area, the Medical District.  This area is one of the largest medical districts in the US and the largest in Illinois.  Some of the hospitals are John H Stroger Hospital (formerly Cook County Hospital), University of Illinois Medical Center and Rush University Medical Center.  There are also a lot of colleges that train medical professionals.

John H Stroger Hospital

 We all know people that are struggling with health in one way or another, some that I know are literally battling for their lives.  I am marked by the fact that this area in the city must have great influence within the medical community.  I am sure that medical advancements are happening every day.  Pray that God would use the men and women here to meet the needs of many and that he would give them wisdom and creativity to know how to handle the tough cases.  I am also praying that the people in these hospitals and medical centers would know God and see Him as the Great Healer.  Pray that the believers in these places would be able to share about God’s love and compassion with those dealing with all kinds of illnesses and diseases.  I am so encouraged by the people I know that work in the medical field.  Their jobs are not always easy but are so important.  If you know specific people in the medical field, pray for them today too!

Thanks again for joining me.  I am so encouraged knowing that we are unified in praying for this great city.  Blessings on your week!

Next week:  Washington Park

West Town

For this week's prayer focus I wanted to go to a different area of the city since we've been focused on the far North side the last three weeks.  West Town is the community to the Northwest of the Loop in the downtown of Chicago, west of the Chicago river.  It's an area I really didn't know much about but have had fun researching the area and even got to spend yesterday afternoon there praying over this community.

West Town is made up of very distinct neighborhoods.  Some of them are East Village, River West, Noble Square, Ukrainian Village and Wicker Park.  The area used to be known as Polish Downtown with Division Street called Polish Broadway.  Immigrants coming from Poland accelerated during and after World War II, with an estimated 150,000 coming.  Polish Americans now make up 6.7% of Chicago's population.  Polish is the third largest spoken language in Chicago after English and Spanish.  (Wikipedia)

Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church
Built in 1899-2003

There were two things that I prayed for as I walked and traveled around West Town and I'd love for you to focus on them as well. The first is that I was once again reminded that the world is represented here in the city.  I loved seeing all the diversity in this area as well.  I saw a few beautiful old Cathedrals built by Russian, Ukrainian and Polish immigrants.  Just looking at all the Polish immigrants that came you can see what a huge impact they have had on our city. Please join me in thanking God for this wonderful gift of diversity and all the cultures and peoples that it brings.  Pray also that we would utilize it for His good and it would stop being something that divides us.

The second thing I prayed was for the working class in this area. As I drove around I saw many businesses and factories.  I was marked by thinking how the working class has helped make Chicago what it is today.  I also prayed against a sense of hopelessness.  Pray that the hard workers in Chicago would be blessed in their work and by their families and friends around them.  Pray that God would show himself real to them and give them great hope.

Skyline from West Town yesterday!

Thanks again for joining me in praying for our great city.  I am loving praying intentionally like this. I think I love the city even more!

Next week: Near West Side

Uptown

This week I’m focusing on the community of Uptown.  Uptown has a cool history in Chicago as being an entertainment destination.  Early film stars like Charlie Chaplin and others produced films at the Essanay Studios in Uptown and the community itself has been used as a filming location for over 480 films. 

With theaters like the Argon Ballroom, Riviera Theater, and the Green Mill Jazz Club, the community of Uptown has played a significant role in ushering in many musical eras in history. (Wikipedia)  The area started changing around the 50’s when commuter rails were extended.

A YWAM team in Little Vietnam.

While Uptown has a history with the entertainment industry it looks very different now.  Uptown has areas that are very diverse ethnically, with people nicknaming them North Chinatown, New Saigon and Little Vietnam. There is also a cluster of nursing homes that treat mentally ill patients along with quite a few homeless shelters in the Uptown area. 

Uptown is a different community than it was in its prime back in the early 20^th century.  I feel like God has incredible hope for this area and is attuned to the needs of the people there.  As we look to pray for Uptown this week, pray for opportunities to see change happen in the lives of the outcast in this area.  Pray Luke 6:20 over this area, “blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” Pray also for God to encourage those that minister to the people there and to send more workers. 

Thanks once again for joining me in praying for Chicago.  Please leave a comment if you have a story about Uptown or an area of prayer you think God might be wanting us to focus on! 

Next Week: West Town