Prayer for Kansas

Kansas has faced a host of challenges, from natural disasters to economic downturns and social unrest. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed and helpless during difficult times. However, Paul reminds us in the Bible that we can make the most of a bad situation and find creative ways to overcome our problems.

As we pray for Kansas, let’s follow Paul’s example of turning adversity into opportunity. While in prison, he didn’t lose hope. Instead, he asked for a coat to stay warm and books to continue learning and writing.

Similarly, we can focus on what we can do rather than what we can’t. We can strengthen our faith, learn new skills, or reconnect with loved ones. We can also support our neighbours and lift each other up.

As we pray for strength and wisdom, remember to pray for our state and national leaders. May they be guided by wisdom and compassion. And let’s pray for all those who are struggling, that they may find comfort, healing, and hope.

Together, we can overcome any obstacle and emerge stronger and more resilient. Let’s pray for Kansas and all those who call it home.

Isaiah 41:10

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Kansas, with a population of 2,913,314, is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. With a GDP of 179.2 billion USD, it is important that we lift up this state and its residents in prayer, asking God to bless and guide them in all areas of their lives, including economic stability, safety, and overall health and happiness.

Leadership

According to [2], Laura Kelly is the current governor of Kansas, serving since 2018, and before she was elected governor, she served as a senator in the Kansas State Senate. Kelly has expressed her commitment to expanding access to healthcare, investing in education, and protecting the rights of all Kansans.

The mayor of Kansas City, Kansas is the highest official of the city government, and since 1997 has been referred to as “mayor/CEO” of the “United Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas” [1]. Other cities in Kansas also have mayors, such as Peggy Dunn, Mayor of Leawood, Kansas and Mark Holland, Mayor of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas [2]. Each mayor has their own duties and responsibilities, which may include overseeing public works departments, leading town council meetings, and promoting excellence in local government [7].

Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall as the two senators representing Kansas in the United States Senate [1]. Moran has been serving in the Senate since 2011, and he was previously a member of the United States House of Representatives for Kansas’s 1st congressional district from 1997. Roger Marshall, on the other hand, was elected to the Senate in 2020 after serving as a member of the United States House of Representatives for Kansas’s 1st congressional district from 2017 to 2021. Both senators have expressed their commitment to serving the people of Kansas and working to advance policies that benefit their constituents [1].

Economy

Kansas is a significant contributor to the United States’ agricultural sector, with wheat, corn, and sorghum among its top exports [1][4]. Other industries in the state include aviation, manufacturing, and transportation [7]. The current unemployment rate in Kansas is 4.0% [9]. Common jobs in the state include farming, agricultural management, and transportation work. The state is indeed working on expanding access to broadband internet and investing in technology and innovation to support economic growth [6].

Healthcare

Kansas has a higher-than-average rate of uninsured residents, with an estimated 12.2% lacking health insurance. However, the state is taking steps to improve access to quality healthcare for all residents, including expanding Medicaid and increasing investment in rural healthcare. These initiatives aim to provide better healthcare coverage to the state’s population, particularly those without insurance or limited access to healthcare services. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Peace and Safety

According to a report by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Kansas has a lower violent crime rate than the national average [2]. Additionally, the state has well-funded and staffed law enforcement agencies, which is reflected in the state’s rank as the 17th safest state in the US in a 2021 report by SafeWise [2]. However, regarding the opioid and substance abuse crisis, Kansas has been facing challenges in recent years. The state experienced a significant increase in opioid-related deaths from 2013 to 2017, and while the number has decreased since then, it remains a concern [1]. Kansas has implemented initiatives to combat the crisis, such as a prescription drug monitoring program and increasing access to treatment [1].

Biggest Challenges

Kansas faces various challenges, such as expanding access to healthcare, improving the rural economies, and addressing substance abuse and addiction issues. The state is known for its friendly residents, vast farmland, and agricultural production, especially wheat and sorghum grains. The state has a population of approximately 2.9 million people, and around 88% of the land in Kansas is farmland, making it the top producer of wheat and sorghum grains in the United States. 

Kansas has also been the leader in wheat milling despite some decline in production. The state has faced conflicts in the past, including the period of violent guerrilla warfare between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces known as “Bleeding Kansas.” Kansas’s flag has the state seal, name, and sunflower on a blue field, representing the state’s history and the life of pioneers. Kansas faces significant challenges in addressing rising rates of opioid and substance abuse, expanding access to healthcare, and improving rural economies [1, 3, 4, 5, 6].

Prayer Points for Kansas

1 Chronicles 12:32

And from the tribe of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, with knowledge of what Israel should do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their kinsmen were at their command.

Psalm 121:1-2

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

• Heavenly Father, we pray for the leaders of Kansas, asking You to give them Your wisdom and guidance as they make decisions that impact the state and its residents. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
• Lord, we pray for a spirit of unity and cooperation among the leaders of Kansas, as they work together for the good of the state. (Psalm 133:1)
• We ask You, Lord, to bless the economy of Kansas, providing opportunities for growth and prosperity for all its residents. (Deuteronomy 28:12)
• Father, we pray for healing and restoration for those struggling with addiction and substance abuse in Kansas. May they find hope and freedom in You. (Psalm 147:3)
• Lord, we ask You to bring peace and safety to all communities in Kansas, protecting its residents from harm and violence. (Psalm 91:2)
• We pray for the church in Kansas, asking You to pour out Your Spirit and bring revival to the state. May Your love and truth be known and experienced by all who live there. (Acts 2:17-18)
• Lord, we pray for the farmers and ranchers of Kansas, that they may be blessed with favourable weather, abundant crops, and healthy livestock. (Joel 2:23-24)
• Heavenly Father, we lift up the educators and students of Kansas, asking You to grant them wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. (Proverbs 2:6-7)
• Lord, we pray for those who are struggling with poverty and homelessness in Kansas, that they may find the help and support they need. (Psalm 82:3-4)
• Father, we ask for Your grace and mercy to be upon the people of Kansas, that they may experience Your love, peace, and joy in all aspects of their lives. (2 Corinthians 13:14)