Prayer support
A metro-area church will host an interfaith prayer service to pray for Oklahoma City and David Holt, who will become the city’s mayor on Tuesday.
Spiritual leaders from different faith traditions will join together to pray for the City of Oklahoma City and Oklahoma City Mayor-elect David Holt at a prayer gathering set for 7 p.m. Sunday at St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church.
The Rev. Joseph Alsay, St. Augustine’s rector, said the service was seen as a way to bring people of faith together with Holt as he prepares to lead Oklahoma City. Holt will be sworn into office as mayor on Tuesday at Oklahoma City Hall.
Alsay said St. Augustine’s is Holt’s home church so the congregation is thrilled to host the prayer service, which may be a first for Oklahoma City.
He said the idea for the service is patterned after pre-inaugural prayer gatherings that are held for elected leaders in other forms of government like state governors.
The service will feature several Christian ministers and leaders of other faith traditions participating in and offering prayers.
Alsay said he will lead a prayer, along with others, including the Rev. Dawn Enderwood, pastor of Lord of Life Lutheran Church; the Rev. Major Jemison, senior pastor of St. John Missionary Baptist Church; Rabbi Vered Harris, spiritual leader of Temple B’nai Israel and Imad Enchassi, senior imam of the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City.
Alsay said Holt will have an opportunity to speak and to share his dreams for the city. “It’s an idea that he has had for some time,” the rector said. “It’s a time to pray for him and his family as he takes on this new leadership role and also a time to pray for our city and our country.”