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The geographic center of the 48 contiguous U.S. states, Lebanon, Kansas, was the gathering site for a call to prayer for the country. | Kansas City Star
The event called Prayer at the Heart of America was organized by P. Douglas Small, president of Project Pray.
The website for the event states “Prayer At the Heart is a call to the family of faith, and the invitation is extended to everyone who believes that God is able to heal our land and that He is our hope for revival and restoration. Without question, our nation has turned its back on its Judeo-Christian heritage and foundation. The truth of God’s Word is being ignored and rejected. Our sin has increased, and the moral fiber of our nation has been defiled.”
Participants prayed specifically for healing in the racial and political division in America. In what the organizers claim was the first gathering of its kind, people came together for seven hours to pray in a field next to the geographic landmark. Songs of praise could be heard echoing in the fields nearby.
All 50 states had a representative that spoke words of prayer over their state. As each state was called to the stage, audience members cheered when their state was called. Those in attendance wrote names of people they knew on note cards that they believed needed prayer. Church leaders and representatives prayed for the names as the ceremony closed with an offering by fire where the cards with the names were burned.
Here are photos of the event.
Attendees from across the U.S. and event leaders lift up their hands as they pray over names on cards, Friday, July 22, 2021, at the Prayer at the Heart of America event in Lebanon, Kansas. The cards were burned after the names were prayed for during the symbolic offering by fire at the end of the event. Rebeccca Slezak rslezak@kcstar.com
Attendants pray together at the Prayer at the Heart of America event in Lebanon, Kan., Friday, July 22, 2021. Throughout the event speakers prayed for forgiveness and healing of America. Rebeccca Slezak rslezak@kcstar.com
Nick Ponce from Idaho, prays for nations and countries around the world after the Prayer at the Heart of America event in Lebanon, Kansas, Friday, July 22, 2021. Ponce walked along rows of flags while he prayed. Rebeccca Slezak rslezak@kcstar.com
Carmen Metzger from Topeka prays on her knees before crosses, Friday, July 22, 2021 near the geographic center of the 48 contiguous U.S. states in Lebanon, Kansas. In the distance a voice calls out Òlift up your handsÓ over a speaker and Metzger remembers the verse 2 Chronicles 7 from the Bible as she prays.
People from around the United States gathered for the Prayer at the Heart of America event, Friday, July 22, 2021, in Lebanon, Kasas. The event took place over 7 hours. Throughout the event speakers prayed for forgiveness and healing of America. Rebeccca Slezak rslezak@kcstar.com
Attendants pray together at the Prayer at the Heart of America event in Lebanon, Kansas, Friday, July 22, 2021. Throughout the event speakers prayed for forgiveness and healing of America. Rebeccca Slezak rslezak@kcstar.com
Attendants at the Prayer at the Heart of America event in Lebanon, Kansas, lift up their hands as others pray over names on cards, Friday, July 22, 2021. Those in attendance could write names of those who they knew needed prayer on the cards. Rebeccca Slezak rslezak@kcstar.com
Attendees from across the U.S. and event leaders pray over names on cards, Friday, July 22, 2021, at the Prayer at the Heart of America event in Lebanon, Kansas., The cards were burned after the names were prayed for during the symbolic offering by fire at the end of the event. Rebeccca Slezak rslezak@kcstar.com
Visuals Editor Chris Ochsner leads The Star’s talented staff of photojournalists and video producers. He has had his hand in directing visuals coverage since 2002. Ochsner led the visuals team in its coverage of three Super Bowls and two World Series.
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