Description

At the start of the year, it felt like every time I opened the news, I heard another difficult story connected to Baton Rouge. Reports of violence, families hurting, and communities shaken. Conversations everywhere carried concern for the direction of the city and the weight placed on its leaders. Our mayor and officials are facing real challenges, from budget decisions to providing resources for things families depend on, like libraries and essential services.

But that isn’t the whole story.

There are also signs of hope. Students are achieving more. Schools are improving. People are serving their neighborhoods. Churches are gathering. Families are raising children with purpose. God has not abandoned this city.

And that realization led to a conviction:
Every report should lead us to prayer.

When we hear bad news, we shouldn’t only react with frustration or fear, we should pray.
When we hear good news, we shouldn’t only celebrate, we should thank God.

Scripture tells us to pray for those in authority, for our communities, and for peace where we live. A city changes when its people consistently bring it before God.
(1 Timothy 2:1–2, Jeremiah 29:7, 2 Chronicles 7:14)

This shirt is a reminder and a call:

Pray for the mayor.
Pray for leaders and decision makers.
Pray for families.
Pray for schools.
Pray for safety.
Pray for healing.
Pray for unity.

And above all, pray for Baton Rouge.

My hope is that when someone reads this shirt, it doesn’t start an argument, it starts a prayer. That it gently shifts conversations from complaint to intercession. That it reminds us we all share responsibility in the spiritual condition of our city.

Baton Rouge needs more than opinions.
Baton Rouge needs prayer.