McKeesport prayer service seeks peace, healing

By JEFF STITT

jstitt@yourmvi.com

Clergy from churches in and around McKeesport gathered at Zion Baptist Church this week to pray for peace and the healing of the nation amid a pandemic. 

Other topics addressed included social issues, injustices and political sentiments that dominate headlines, conversations and social media posts on a daily basis.

The Rev. Richard Truss of Zion Baptist Church said the group gathered “to pray for our country, for our city, for those who are suffering from various diseases.”

“We’re grateful for this opportunity,” he said.

Truss prayed for civil unrest to cease, for financial help for those who are struggling and to “still the waters of the controversy surrounding the opening of our schools.”

Truss also asked for blessings and for “physical, mental, moral strength (for) those who are on the front lines trying to take care of those who are suffering from this disease.”

“Lord, we stand at this moment in time with this virus that is raging,” he said. “God, help it to humble us.”

It’s the second prayer service for the national Day of Prayer ceremony held by the McKeesport Area Shared Ministerium. The first service took place in late October in Kennedy Park in front of the statue of President John F. Kennedy. 

At that service, Pastor William B. Meekins Jr. and Gladys Hunt-Mason of the shared ministerium, Auberle Spiritual Leader Boniface Igba and Ray “Brother Ray” Beard of First Christian Church McKeesport prayed for healing and peace in the nation and within the city. They were joined by state Sen. Jim Brewster, D-McKeesport, his wife Linda and members of his staff, McKeesport Mayor Michael Cherepko and other city leaders.

This time, Truss agreed to host “Ecumenical ‘Healing for Our Nation’ Prayer Service,” which was held Wednesday.

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