COLORADO SPRINGS — Against the back drop of a rainy day with gray skies, prayers and songs of thanks could be heard at Acacia Park, shining through the gloom.
Members of Colorado Springs' faith community, prayed for protesters, for police, but mainly for peace.
"I think it's very important right now that the African-American community knows we stand with them," said Kelly Williams, Pastor of Vanguard Church.
Many of the prayers were for justice for George Floyd, and other African-Americans who were killed by police.
"We can not sing in our churches and preach our sermons if we do not stand up for justice," said Aaron McClain, Worship Pastor at Vanguard Church. "We find that it is a contradiction to be held up in our churches, our pulpits and our stages, if we don't do anything for change in our actual city," he said.
Even a mother in mourning thought it was important to come out and pray on a day like this.
"My son gave his life in the line of duty February 5, 2018 and he was a detective with the El Paso County Sheriff's Office," said Shenoa Flick. "I'm here representing my son because i know he'd be here today."
All walks of life participated in a unifying message, while understanding that the road to change is a long one.
"Everybody involved is hurting," said Pastor Williams. "We know that there are many sides to this issue, we know that there is a need for legislation, and a need for care of the Colorado Springs Police Department."
Hoping to send a message that if people are willing to pray together, doing the work to heal a city and a whole nation, can be done.
"Change is possible," said Stephany Rose-Spaulding. "We can do the work necessary for us to heal this whole nation."
After the prayer service, the group held a solidarity walk downtown.
