With the number of homicides in Pittsburgh for the month of July at 20 and with high numbers in the previous months, various local ministers have come together to try and put a stop to this escalating violence.

Several ministers, who for the most part wish to remain anonymous, have gotten together to organize a Community Day of Prayer on Aug. 30 from 1-1:30 p.m. They are asking that no matter where individuals are at that time, that they stop and pray to God asking him to send a miracle and put a stop to the senseless violence.

UNITY—Citizens join hands at a community response to another homicide in the Hill District.

“I believe this is a spiritual problem. That’s what’s causing this (problem of violence). We need to attack this from a spiritual angle. And prayer is the answer,” Rev. Diane Ziegler, of St. Paul Baptist Church, said. “I believe the idea is to come together in unity and pray. We need to partner with God to bring about change in people’s hearts (and show them how this is affecting themselves and others).”

As of July, for the year there have been 70 homicides, 56 of them were Black people and 49 were Black men. And the list continues to grow each day.

The Community Day of Prayer was organized so that all people, no matter what race, denomination or economic status, could come together and pray for and end to the violence. The ministers who organized this day of prayer said that a vision was given to them for churches to come together and pray about the issue and for everyone to open themselves up to what God will do.

Their group wishes to be anonymous because they want all the credit and glory to go to God.

“Things have to change. It’s like we’re waiting for a new leader, like Martin Luther King Jr., when really we are waiting on ourselves,” Rev. Marcus Harvey, of Mt. Gilead Church in Wilkinsburg and Strength Inc., said. “We are divided by where we live, by the color of our skin, by how much money we make and man even divides us by God (with all the different religions). We are supposed to be one body of Christ.”

The Bible scripture that is being used as a guide for the day of prayer is the book of 2 Chronicles, chapter 7, verse 14. This Community Day of Prayer is for all. Individuals are asked to pray for answers on how to end this problem, for a change in the hearts of those involved and for strength to fight this war. For individuals who want to participate but are not sure how to, they can contact local churches or minister and ask for assistance.    

Reverend Harvey said this is also an issue that the communities must help end. He said that a plan needs to be put together that is actually acted upon, not just discussed and not used. He said we need to get to root of the problem and he believes that with this day of prayer, it will help get us there.

But what also comes with this Community Day of Prayer is responsibility and accountability. Individuals must take responsibility for the roles they play and also be held accountable for what the Lord puts on their heart to do.

“It is our responsibility to not condone some of the behavior that is happening in our homes from the people who involved in the violence, “ she said.     

For example, a mother who knows a child is selling drugs in the basement of her home and who is reaping the benefits of the drug sales, like a flat screen television or other items, has to stand up and say that this behavior will not be tolerated and must also hold themselves accountable for their role in the matter.

Reverend Ziegler also said  that churches need to be prepared for what this day of prayer will bring. She said that many times church members can be very critical. They have to be ready to accept all types of individuals whose hearts have been changed. Ministers have to be ready to hear confessions, no matter how harsh they are and members have to be ready to open their churches to anyone, no matter how they look or what they have done.

The group said that too many of the different churches are divided and are not doing enough together. Reverend Ziegler said that she hopes that this day will bring unity, if not physically, then emotionally and mentally.

Although the next step is unknown, the ministers believe that by participating in this day of the prayer, it will become known.

“Prayer brings people together and this will help to focus the community on a problem we all share,” said Rev. David Keller, of South Avenue Methodist Church in Wilkinsburg. “This is one step in the right direction that we need to make in working together to end this problem.”

With shootings throughout the day and night, people are afraid to walk outside their doors and even step inside their homes.

Whatever the answer may be to end this, it is definitely time for a miracle.