The pastor of Charleston's Emanuel AME Church came to Orlando to pray

Credit: Jennifer Brett

Credit: Jennifer Brett

By Ernie Suggs

ORLANDO - It was just about a year ago that evil incarnate came blasting its way through Emanuel AME Church in Charleston. The enemy was back in action over the weekend in Orlando.

On Monday, the pastor of "Mother Emanuel" came to this Central Florida city to pray.

"I am here because of the love of the love shown to us at Mother Emanuel," said the  Rev . Dr. Betty Deas Clark, who appeared at a huge community vigil and rally in downtown Orlando on Monday night.  

Credit: Jennifer Brett

Credit: Jennifer Brett

Sunday's massacre at Pulse nightclub in Orlando, the worst mass shooting in America's history, occurred about a year after nine people were killed during a prayer meeting in Charleston.

Clark's prayer symbolically linked the two national tragedies. She noted that her church and  community were able to forgive, or at least not express hate.

"That is the love that brought me here," Clark said. "And we must pray not just for today, but for tomorrow."