On Sunday, June 10, 2022, over 15,000 people representing 600+ Pittsburgh area churches gathered in a historic event at Heinz Field in downtown Pittsburgh to pray for the well-being of the city. The event, “Pittsburgh Prays”, was organized by the Pittsburgh Leadership Foundation and partners.
55 leaders from around the city prayed along with attendees for unity in the city, the strength of families, and the health of communities. Pittsburgh notables like Mayor Ed Gainey and Bishop David Zubik of the Diocese of Pittsburgh joined the festivities.
Pittsburgh Leadership Foundation President Lee Kricher opened with the following words:
In 1955, Time Magazine quoted Rev. Sam Shoemaker as saying, ‘I have a vision that Pittsburgh will one day be as famous for God as it is (today) for steel.’ Those words inspired people like Reid Carpenter, John Guest, Jay Passavant and thousands of others to give their lives to make a positive difference in our city. And today that legacy lives on as we gather in unity in Jesus Name with a heart that our city will be more famous for God than for steel, or healthcare, or high tech, or even the Steelers!
Kricher noted that Pittsburgh Prays will continue with prayer lunches, prayer walks, and an annual prayer breakfast to continue to bring together leaders of faith and good will that are often separated by ecclesiastical, racial, and political barriers.
