Prayer Box: The Good News About Bad News…
2010
..is that it leads you to better news.
Last week, a group of hope-filled people gathered together at 10 AM on Runyon Canyon to put up Prayer Box 3.0. Because words can’t even describe how the amazing way it all happened, I have this to show you instead:
I still can’t get the memory out of my head. Different people from all parts of the city coming together to help and watch faith in action. It couldn’t have been a more beautiful day watching the painted designs from Emiliano Moreno match the opening sky, and the actual sun painted by my brother Daniel peek out between the clouds. My favorite was filling the box with prayers from the old box, and having people who brought their children write out prayers to fill the new box.
On to the bad news. That night, I received prayers from NYC, to Hong Kong, and even South Africa to put into the box. The next day, no more than 24 hours later, I hiked up to the box to put these prayers in and found this:
Somebody had completely torn down the box. There were prayers strewn everywhere, and the sun ray was broken into pieces. It was the most horrible thing I could ever imagine being done. More than just the box being destroyed, I couldn’t believe all that love and time dedicated from our creators the Gentle Giant, James, our carpenter Dan from our friend Kay, and painters Emiliano and Daniel. Honestly, it’s taken awhile for me to get to a place where I could sit and write this blog about it. However, since then I have prayed peace and connection for the person who did this.
Ready for the better news? Our Gentle Giant, James, and I are already brainstorming how to bring the box back. There is always a reason for everything that happens, and I’m actually really anxious to see how this story unfolds. So keep sending me your prayers, and I promise the same way this box brought so many wonderful people together, it will bring an unexpected story that will bless us all.
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Jeannie – it could be the Parks & Recs people – that huge Oscar statue was immediately torn down the minute it went up… I really think you may need permission to put something like that up permanently.
And if it’s some vandal – that’s awful!
Jeannie: Thank you for your wonderful message. I didn’t hear the whole message it was cut off. It would be nice to get together. I emailed Jed about this earlier in the week and suggested we get together in Sierra Madre, take a short drive up to our mountains and take in or slice of Paradise and then have coffee or lunch at a local hangout. I am going to look tomorrow and see if I can find the balance of the box. I found the drawer and its contents, and remnants of the old box too. As time has gone by, I feel more upset and angry at the senseless destruction of art and spirit and deep down, wish I could inflict some kind of pain on those who took this down. Just a gut response, but there, nevertheless! I know this must be a heartwrenching thing for you too as the mastermind of the idea. If I can find the box, I will retrieve it and we can decide what to do next.
All the best to you
Dan
I’m so sorry this happened! :C Sending some love!
Dear Jeannie, This life is so interesting……. I am guessing that hurting people hurt people, good idea to pray for this person. God bless you I love your spirit! Hang in there!
So sorry this happened again. You are blessed to have so many determined, creative people around you.
Heart you! Stay strong, never give up! oxoxox
Em
The beautiful box and all the prayers inside it are and will always be in the hearts of everyone involved. THAT can never be taken away. What a beautiful video, thanks so much for sharing! <3
Placing the prayer box there was an amazing thing. What was more amazing was the loving energy you all set I’n motion by doing so. The box may have been destroyed, but the energy you released is eternal and cannot be destroyed, and apparently it is needed! Don’t be daunted. In this case I believe a little pride is OK. Stand proud as a beautiful group of people who not only care, but DO!!!
Blessings’
Mark A
Thank you so much for your thoughts Rhonda!
You’re absolutely right, and I appreciate you so much for that. Heart ya Mark.
Jeannie:
I am so sorry this has happened. I just came from there today, just a sad, empty stump, however….I have done the same as you. I pray for those who destroyed it, yet will not let them take away the wonderful memories I have from the very first time I saw the first Prayer Box, to the entire experience of being involved with this past one. All the best to you and James and I look forward to seeing this story develop.
:)
Faith…..:)
Maybe Grace(above writer)is correct. Maybe it was the park staff, and maybe you do have to get some special permission to put it up, there. If not, then may I suggest the next Prayer Box be made of Stainless Steel(box post, and all). Everybody may think I am joking, but I am not. Virtually indestructable!!! Think about it.
I didn’t just pull that out of the air–it came to me when I was hiking the trail one day to leave supplies, and found the box(vers. 2.0) heavily damaged.
Anyway, talk to the park staff and hear what they have to say on the matter, then wait on God. He will take care of the rest. In the meantime, I’ll keep praying….
Would the Park & Recs people tear it to shreds? I’m just thinking removing items not permitted would be better than creating litter…also a violation, I would assume.
My bet is it was just some kids who thought it would be “fun” to destroy something. Prayers were probably in order for them. I’m amazed it wasn’t even up a whole day.
Good luck with the next one, Jeannie!
No. It was definitely vandalism
Thanks Christine Marie. Next one will be unbeatable
Where do i send you prayers? New to the site! I hope everything turns out for the better
thanks!
Send to jmail@iheartjeanniemai.com and I’ll make sure they get in the new box
Thanks!
I can’t beleive some people. But the LORD has BIGGER and BETTER things in store
Keep your heads up, and you will all be in my prayers!!!!
Just know that God has not fogotten those prayers, He will follow through either indirecty or directly in every single of their lives.
The Lord promises us in in His Word, “Those who love me, I will deliver; I will protect those who know my name. When they call to me, I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will rescue them and honor them. With long life I will satisfy them, and show them my salvation. (Psalm 91:14-16)
We can spend our time and energy being angry but that will do nothing. Whoever did this needs prayer more than anything, as you said Jeannie, because someone must be very lost to destroy such a beautiful and selfless thing that so many people have put so much time and effort into creating to further peace and love in this world.
As a regular hiker at Runyon Canyon, I’d like to express how deeply discouraged I was to see your prayer box this morning. There are so few wild spaces in Los Angeles and it’s really nice to reach that summit and take in the views of the natural world with the city and ocean beyond. It is not nice to encounter a giant, multicolored human secular creation at the top of that hill. You’ve imposed your own religious views on the thousands of people who visit that site daily, and it’s impossible not to be affected by your personal agenda.
It’s clear that you created your prayer box with positive intentions, but you shouldn’t have the right to impose your interpretation of what God is on the rest of us. I’d really appreciate it if you took it down or if someone else did it for you. It’s not fair to the rest of us who need that hill as a break from the big city and the egos that dwell in it.