POWER OF PRAYER

Trumbull County group seeks spiritual revival through unity and repentance

By LINDA M. LINONIS

religion@vindy.com

cortland

Pastors of the Trum- bull County Prayer Movement believe that prayer will bring about spiritual transformation in the Mahoning Valley.

They’re involved in the 40 Days of Prayer during Lent, which follows the “Seek God for the City” prayer guide. Prayer groups, who are meeting at six sites in Trumbull County, will culminate the prayer effort at a community Good Friday service at 6 p.m. April 2 at First United Methodist Church, 309 N. Park Ave., Warren.

Lent focuses on renewal, reflection and repentance. Pastor Dan Parker of Cortland Trinity Baptist Church said the Evangelical Minister’s Fellowship published an “open letter to the community” in an area newspaper in February 2008 in which they admitted focusing more on their individual churches than following the message of unity expounded by Jesus. The pastors asked for forgiveness because they had been selfish. The pastors acknowledged ethnic, racial and denominational differences but said those factors should “give fullness of the body of Christ, not to separate or weaken it.”

The group sponsored what it called a Sacred Assembly in February 2008 at First United Methodist Church, where some 700 people and 35 pastors turned out to ask for repentance. In the Bible, a gathering at which people confess sins and ask for forgiveness, is termed a Sacred Assembly.

Pastor Barker said the passage from 2Chronicles 7:14, “If my people who are called by name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land,” served as the mantra and continues to do so.

Pastor Barker said he and the other pastors believe that positive change in the Mahoning Valley will only come about through prayer and the admission of sin. “If the spiritual and moral climate improves, that will improve the quality of life overall,” he said.

“We must turn to God and he will come to us to help us,” Pastor Barker said. “He will heal our land.” But, the pastor said, that will only come if people pray, admit their sins and ask for God’s intercession.

Pastor Barker said the turnout for the Sacred Assembly proved that people are seeking out God and know they can turn to him. “We’ve seen a similar theme in other prayer movements in the country,” he said.

“This is huge,” he said of the prayer movement, which trusts in God’s words of forgiveness and healing. “It’s the heart of the prayer movement.”

Pastor Barker said repentance and unselfishness must be achieved before “society can be transformed.” He said it is the duty of pastors “to take the lead” and help people seek out God. The pastors’ open letter noted that will lead to “loving homes, safe streets and economic prosperity.”

Pastor Barker said the 40 Days of Prayer in Lent is another aspect of the prayer movement. He said the devotional guide helps participants to focus their prayers. Copies of “Seek God for the City” prayer guide are still available; contact Pastor Barker at Cortland Trinity Baptist at (330) 637-1421.

Pastor Barker said the emphasis on unity through prayer “has changed” the pastors involved and he believes it has had a “deep impact on people who participate.” He also said he believes more people are engaged in “prayer activities” and it has spread throughout the county.

Pastor Barker said the prayer guide is taking participants on a journey from reflecting on life of Jesus, reading the Gospels and experiencing an awakening, spreading Christ’s glory among people and finally, finding peace in all relationships. This leads up to Palm Sunday, when people welcome the visitation of Christ to churches and communities.