I have a prayer that stays on my lips..."Lord, visit our city."  With a deep history of racial tension, crime and struggle, St. Louis has managed to thrive as a city and community.  There is somehow a small town feel to this city of over 300,000 people.  What rich history lives here.  It was previously known as Mound City as the early Native American Mississippian culture was centered here and built around several earthwork mounds.

The area was claimed by La Salle in about 1678 and French settlements were built throughout the early 1700's.  France lost to the British in 1764 and St. Louis became a fur trade area and economy.  In 1803 after the Republic of France had it back for a few years, it was finally sold to the US and Missouri was admitted to the Union in 1821.  

St. Louis was a growing city until the Civil War, when immigration and industrialization sparked an even greater major boom.  It conintued to grow until the 1950s when the city suddenly began to lose people to the suburbs. There was an increasing demand for housing and commutes had become easier.  St. Louis has lost over 63% of its population since 1950, which is the highest percent of any major US city.  

The stats are a bit grim if you are a numbers watcher.  However, this city just seems to continue to  bounce back!  It's architecture and heritage brings many exciting stories and with them a pioneer spirit.

My heart desires to see Godly people arise and pray, asking our Lord to stir hearts and bring us back to a place of honoring He who has blessed us thus far in spite of the good and bad of the past!  May His church/body humble themselves, pray and see a renewal season under the silver arch!  God responds to obedience.  Lord, may righteousness abound here in St. Louis, and may You be glorified as a result!