10 years of rooftop prayer

By LINDA M. LINONIS

linonis@vindy.com

POLAND

Pastor Barry Knaub can’t remember exactly how he came up with the idea to pray on the church rooftop as a way to promote National Day of Prayer. But he’s drawn attention to the power of prayer through this tradition for a decade.

He started the practice while serving at Central Baptist Church in Niles and did it for four years. He’s continued it at Margaret Wynn Memorial Baptist Church, 56 Water St. (Route 616). He prayed from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, the day of the observance.

“I just wanted to do something to call attention to the National Day of Prayer,” Pastor Knaub said. “The first year, I had no signs. People sometimes saw me and would wave.”

Now, the pastor said, he has signage – “Pray for America, ” “Beep for Prayer” and “Pastor on Roof” – to alert passers-by.

“A lot of people beep and wave. It’s nice when a school bus goes by and all the kids are waving to me,” he said.

Some people, he noted, have stopped and prayed with him by standing at the foot of the ladder. The church was open if people wanted to pray inside.

“We have a prayer sheet in the church for members to jot down prayer intentions,” he said. “Some members call me on my cellphone.”

Though rain pelted the pastor off and on, he was prepared with rain gear of jacket and pants, hat and a red, white and blue umbrella. Another umbrella was attached to his lawn chair, which was secured to the steeple for safety’s sake. The sun even peeked through the clouds at times.

Pastor Knaub said there is a Facebook page on his Rooftop Prayer Ministry that he posts to. People are welcome to post brief personal prayer requests or send requests by email to barryknaub@att.net.

“Prayer in the Bible means tapping into the power of God,” Pastor Knaub said. “Prayer embraces God’s power in our lives and draws us onto a personal relationship with God.”

Pastor Knaub’s rooftop prayer was among events in the Valley for the 65th annual National Day of Prayer. Trumbull County Community of Christians sponsored a prayer breakfast in Warren, NOW Youngstown sponsored a prayer event on Federal Plaza in Youngstown, Struthers Parkside Church presented a patriotic musical and prayer observances were in Girard and Salem.

The National Day of Prayer, the first Thursday in May, originated in 1775 with the Continental Congress. In 1988, it was legislated by Congress and signed by President Ronald Reagan.

Through his rooftop prayer on the national observance, Pastor Knaub said he wanted “to call attention to the fact we need God in our lives, our community – we need His help.”

And, he added: “We need to recognize, as Americans, we have the freedom of prayer,” noting that some people do not have this opportunity.

“This is a straightforward agenda,” Pastor Knaub said. “It is about encouraging people to have God in their lives.”

He did admit, though, that the political climate is harsh. “Politicians can’t fix America – only God can,” he said. “America needs a lot of healing,” he continued and cited 2 Chronicles 7:14 as the answer. It reads: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

Pastor Knaub said he has been on the rooftop praying in various weather conditions. He appreciates nice weather with clear skies, mild wind and a comfortable temperature. “I’ve been up there when it’s been cold and hot.”