Faithful head to Lebanon, Kansas, center of mainland U.S., to pray for America

Christians from around the country gathered in the geographic center of the 48 contiguous U.S. states near Lebanon, Kansas, Friday to pray for America.

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.