Area residents pray downtown for peace, prosperity, acceptance, strength

YOUNGSTOWN

It could have been a scene lifted from a Hollywood movie about the Old West, with duelers starting the long walk at the end of town to meet in the middle for a high-noon showdown.

But the people who converged in the center of Youngstown on Saturday weren’t there to engage in violence, but to pray for an end to it.

“We believe God is going to do something major in our city, and I believe this is the beginning of it,” said 60-year-old Mary Savage of Poland.

“That’s why I’m here.”

The event was called Converge On Youngstown, and the goal was to draw as many people as possible to meet at the heart of the city and pray. Taking a cue from 1 Chronicles 9 in the Bible, participants began walking at noon from locations on the four sides of Youngstown and met in the central square where a prayer service took place.

They prayed for peace and an end to violence, for economic growth and prosperity, for an end to prejudice and freedom from addictions. They prayed for fathers, mothers and children, for marriages, for the schools and for spiritual revival.

“This is not a political movement, and this is not a protest,” said Pastor JoAnn Pangio of Abundant Harvest Church in Austintown, who organized the event. “This is the people of God moving in the power of God to bless our city today.”

For the complete story, read Sunday's Vindicator or Vidy.com.