Topeka — A prayer list put out by the Capitol Commission, which is dedicated to spreading the teachings of Jesus Christ, calls for praying for "dark spiritual areas" of Kansas, including Lawrence.

In a one-page list of Capitol Prayers being passed around the Statehouse recently, prayer is urged for a number of Kansas leaders, including Gov. Sam Brownback and his staff, and for those who are ill or facing adversity within the Legislature and state government.

The list also states under the heading Intercessor's Challenge: "Target prayer for dark spiritual areas of SE Kansas, Lawrence, KCKS, North Johnson County — ask God to restore the land."

Dave DePue, the Kansas pastor for Capitol Commission, said the prayer was to improve the economies in those areas.

"We just seem to be stalled in getting this economy turned around," DePue said, although he added that Lawrence seems to be doing well economically.

Asked about the term "dark spiritual area," he said, "I don't know whether that is worded right, because Lawrence isn't losing population."

The list also included a prayer for the judicial system and asking God "to provide wisdom for restructuring the Kansas selection process."

DePue is a full-time volunteer for Capitol Commission and is often seen around the Statehouse. He often prays with Brownback and legislators. He said he takes requests from legislators and others to put the prayer list together.

Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley, D-Topeka, said he didn't think it was appropriate to refer "to certain areas of the state as dark spiritual areas."

Americans United for Separation of Church and State on Friday criticized Gov. Sam Brownback for promoting a fundamentalist Christian evangelical event.

“The governor is really overstepping his constitutional bounds," said Vickie Sandell Stangl, president of the Great Plains chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

"He was elected to serve as governor of our state, not our state pastor-in-chief.

“The people of Kansas do not need politicians telling us when, how or whether to pray. If anybody needs to repent, it’s Gov. Brownback. He needs to repent for violating the constitutional separation of church and state," Stangl said.

Stangl was criticizing Brownback for promoting a nationally simulcast prayer and worship event put on by ReignDown USA that will be held Saturday in MacLennan Park, which is adjacent to the governor's mansion, Cedar Crest.

In a video promoting the event, Brownback said: "Too often we have forgotten God," and he invites people to pray.

Here is a video that Brownback made. The end of the video says no state resources were used to make the video or in the ReignDown event.

Gov. Sam Brownback says "too often we have forgotten God," and he is inviting people to pray on Saturday.

Brownback is asking people to participate in worship and pray at MacLennan Park in an event sponsored by ReignDown USA.

Here is a video that Brownback made. The end of the video says no state resources were used to make the video or in the ReignDown event.