MILWAUKEE — Faith leaders from across Wisconsin spent their Sunday morning praying for peace ahead of President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration Wednesday.
"There’s a lot of anxiety in the air," said Reverend Kerri Parker, executive director for the Wisconsin Council of Churches.
The prayer vigil comes following warnings of potentially violent protests in the days leading up to the transition of power.
"That’s why we have to come together to pray. To pray against that spirit. That spirit of evil, of division, of bitterness," said Pastor Walter Lanier, of Progressive Baptist Church.
Leaders in the Milwaukee community are also doing their part to help prepare everyone from residents to the local media, even government officials, on how to respond to the potential unrest.
"Being cognizant of the things that you’re re-posting or posting on social media, just not feeding into the negativity or false information that’s being presented," said Reggie Moore, with the Office of Violence Prevention.
And as Inauguration Day nears, fears are rising for faith leaders who are located closer to Wisconsin’s Capitol building.
"We actually are in a building that has the offices of Senator Tammy Baldwin in the same building so we do have a great deal of concern," said Rev. Parker.
But despite these concerns, the hope for a peaceful transition still remains.
"Look at January 6 and look at Dr. King; you’ll see a stark contrast. [So] hopefully, and prayerfully, Dr. King’s America is the one that wins out on the twentieth," said Pastor Lanier.
The Wisconsin Council of Churches says they’ll hold three more prayer meetings on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday virtually on Facebook. Where they’ll continue to pray for strength, protection, and healing.
