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Share a prayer, and a view tonight on downtown roof
Worship and reflection will highlight the gathering tonight at the church.
YOUNGSTOWN — The City Prayer Team of Youngstown picked today, the first day of August, the eighth month, for its special prayer assembly in the sanctuary and on the rooftop at Trinity United Methodist Church.
“Eight has a biblical connotation as a new beginning,” said Linda Daniels, prayer team coordinator. Some examples include that God designed the eighth day to begin a new week, and there were eight people on Noah’s Ark, who began life anew.
Daniels said since Youngstown is experiencing a new beginning, the timing seemed fitting. She described it as a “season of promise.”
The prayer assembly begins at 9 p.m. at the downtown church, 30 W. Front St., with worship, prayer and reflection. “We wanted to be at a hub of the city,” Daniels added.
Guest minister will be Jody Odum of Calvary Ministries International, a Christian artist. Also participating will be the Rev. Stephen T. Sparling, Trinity’s pastor.
Around 11:30, those at the prayer service who wish to may trek up to the rooftop, where they will pray. Daniels said she called it “midnight on the rooftop” and described it as a time “when the mind is at rest and dreams and visions come.”
Daniels said the event is aimed at prompting participants to “think about God’s vision for Youngstown.” “What did God have planned for the city and state?” she asked.
Daniels said she hoped the setting, above the streets of the city, and when night has fallen, would help people draw out their “childlike” quality and imagine good things.
“We’ve prayed on the rooftop at Trinity before,” Daniels said, referring to team members. “It was an awesome experience.”
The Rev. Mr. Sparling, who got involved with the team last August, said, “It was a good way for me to connect.” He became pastor of Trinity UMC last year. “The prayer team involves a lot of churches that have a real heart for Youngstown,” he said.
Mr. Sparling said the rooftop vantage point provides a unique view in that people can “see a lot of good ... and bad.” He said more activity downtown at restaurants and the Chevrolet Centre along with the addition of the third shift at GM are positives.
“But you see need of the homeless on the streets and people going into the courthouses,” he said.
“It’s a different perspective ... something about getting out of the nice pretty sanctuary and getting out there,” Mr. Sparling said. “In January, the team prayed on the roof. For us, it was standing out there; for the homeless, they’re living out there.
“It takes people out of their comfort zone,” he said, adding it might help increase awareness about the community at large.
Mr. Sparling was featured in a Vindicator article and video last November on his rooftop prayer routine.
Daniels said the team directs its prayers for pastors, Christian leadership and members of churches in Youngstown and surrounding communities, education system, mayor and Cabinet, city council, legislation in the city, law enforcement, judicial branches, communication and media, and finances and banking.
linonis@vindy.com