Royal Oak, Michigan—a growing up-scale city sometimes referred to these days as the “Ann Arbor of Oakland County”—has organized public opportunities for men, women and young people to come together and pray for Detroit.
Royal Oak is home to a burgeoning arts-dining-and-entertainment center. It’s a key part of the nationally famous “Woodward Dream Cruise” of classic cars. The city is such a culturally diverse area that when author and evangelist Rob Bell wanted to kick off his new global tour with a “shake-down” performance—he booked a Royal Oak theater.
Royal Oak also is situated along the Woodward Avenue corridor, the main artery into the heart of Detroit and Detroit’s historic “piety row” of cathedral-like churches, including Metropolitan United Methodist. So, there’s also a geographic connection with this regional movement toward prayer.
Coordinating the Royal Oak effort is the Rev. John Miller of the First Congregational Church of Royal Oak. Over the years, Rev. Miller has been known for various innovations in ministry. He also represented Royal Oak before the Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit and Vicinity on August 18 as a good-will gesture between religious communities.
First Congregational will host the first public gathering in the Royal Oak area. The three weeks of prayer in the Detroit area starts on August 23, 2009. From 4 to 7 p.m. that day, First Congregational will open its sanctuary for prayer. Church is located at 1314 Northwood Boulevard,
Royal Oak Michigan 48073. Also that night, there will be an
informal service 5 to 6 p.m. For more information
and a schedule of dates, time, and church locations call the First
Congregational Church offices at (248) 288-4220.
People are encouraged to come when it is convenient for them. Stay
as long as you want, and take advantage of the opportunity to place a
prayer or statement for Detroit in a special book that will be brought
to the September 12, 2009 Lift Detroit in Prayer Day event at
Metropolitan Church 8000 Woodward Avenue at 11:00 a.m.
