Alumni board hosts prayer walk at capitol

By Anna Brewster, Assistant Faith Editor

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness,” 1 Timothy 2:1-2.

Tuesday, Feb. 21, the Oklahoma Baptist University’s Alumni Board held its first ever prayer walk at the Oklahoma State Capitol.

Alumni Board member and 1971 alumnus Walter Grady suggested the prayer walk in the most recent quarterly board meeting.

Grady, minister of music at First Baptist in Ardmore, was inspired to plan the prayer walk by his involvement in a senior adult mission trip to Washington DC.

“The [Southern Baptist Convention] home missionary planned a prayer walk of the Washington Monument, and I thought that was a great idea,” Grady said.

Samantha Medlin, Director of Alumni Programs and Special Events, worked in conjunction with Grady to set up the prayer walk.

“On the heels of the election, regardless of which side you’re on, I just think it’s a good idea,” Medlin said.

Just like the Bible encourages Christians to pray for their leaders, this prayer walk encouraged OBU alumni and friends to pray for the leaders of this country.

Oklahoma Congress is currently in session, making the timing of the prayer walk especially relevant.

“We thought it would make sense [to hold it at the Capitol], since we’re praying for those people and that’s where they work,” Medlin said.

Participants in the prayer walk met in the rotunda for a tour before praying with several state legislators and beginning a self-led prayer walk around the Oklahoma State Capitol.

Following the prayer walk, attendees adjourned to S&B Burgers for a time of food and fellowship.

“This activity is part of regional activities planned by the Alumni Board,” Grady said.  “Other regional events include Regional Food Bank volunteer days, Thunder Basketball events and events scheduled around events that happen on the OBU Campus.”

The walk was advertised by email, on Facebook and on the OBU website and calendar. Participants were required to RSVP beforehand on the OBU website, as the tour size was limited.

Along with Grady and Medlin, Executive Director of OBU Alumni Association Lori Hagans attended the prayer walk.

“I [went] because it’s something our board put together,” Hagans said. “It’s a worthy cause.”

According to Medlin, the OBU Alumni Association may make the State Capitol prayer walk an annual event.

Everyone who attended received a prayer list of national and state leaders.

Directories of Oklahoma state leaders can be found at http://www.oklegislature.gov/ and http://www.okhouse.gov/.