Source: The Oklahoman
Prayer services and other events related to the National Day of Prayer are more diverse than ever — in Oklahoma and across the country. The National Day of Prayer was established by Congress in 1952.
In the state, a service at the Survivor Tree at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum and a prayer walk at City Rescue Mission are just two of the new events planned for the 57th annual day, set for Thursday.
The popular prayer service at the state Capitol is planned for noon on the second-floor rotunda. An interfaith prayer gathering, now in its fifth year, is planned for 11 a.m. on the south steps of the Capitol.
New this year at the Capitol is the Seal America open Communion service, set for 11:20 a.m. on the Capitol's north steps.
Around the metro, prayer events include youth, men's and women's prayer events in Kingfisher, a New Testament reading marathon at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee and a multicongregational prayer service at Quail Springs Church of Christ.
Several churches, including Crossings Community Church and Quail Springs Baptist Church, will open their doors for people to come and pray throughout the day. Crossings will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday for prayer, with guided prayer lists available.
Quail is launching its new prayer ministry and prayer room Thursday.
"We could think of no better time to launch this prayer ministry, which we hope will soon operate around the clock, staffed with members committed to spend one hour per week in uninterrupted prayer,” said the Rev. Hance Dilbeck, Quail's senior pastor.