The preacher's prayer that stirred the Kansas legislature-Truth!

The Preacher’s Prayer That Stirred Protest In the Kansas LegislatureTruth!

 

 

Summary of eRumor: 
The email says that a session of the Kansas State Senate was opened in prayer by a Pastor Joe Wright.  His prayer was a sizzling one and prompted controversy.  The story says that several members of the Senate got up and walked out and that Paul Harvey aired the text of the prayer and it prompted the largest response he’s ever had.

The Truth:

This event actually happened in the Kansas House (not Senate) in Topeka on January 23, 1996.   Joe Wright is the pastor of Central Christian Church in Wichita and was guest chaplain that day.  He prayed a prayer of repentance that was written by Bob Russell, pastor of  Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, Kentucky. According to an article in the Kansas City Star from January 24, 1996, his prayer did stir controversy and one member of the legislative body walked out.  Others criticized the prayer.  The controversy didn’t end there.  Later that year in the Colorado House, Republican representative Mark Paschall angered lawmakers by using Joe Wright’s prayer as the invocation.  Some members there also walked out in protest. 

Paul Harvey did air the story and the prayer.  He got such a large response that a phone number was set up to handle the calls.  He’s aired it a couple more times since.