Prayer Tower

The Prayer Tower is a Futurist tower located on the campus of Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma.[1] The 200 ft (60.9 m) glass and steel structure, designed by Tulsa architect Frank Wallace, opened in 1967.[2] An enclosed observation deck gives a 360° view of the surrounding area and enables a self-guided visual tour of the ORU campus. A visitor center on the ground floor has a gift shop along with showings of a 20-minute multimedia presentation on the history of the university and a 36-minute, faith-oriented presentation about the life of Oral Roberts. The landscaped Ralph L. Reece Memorial Gardens surround the tower base. The tower is a popular local tourist attraction.

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Symbolism

ORU is a charismatic Christian university. According to school publicity the tower's form is laden with Christian symbolism.[3] The Prayer Tower is located at the center of campus to symbolize prayer's central role in the goals of the university.[4] The disc and spindle design takes on the look of a cross from any horizontal bearing, and from the air resembles the Star of David. The tower's "upward spiral [sic]" is intended to mirror one's relationship with God. The latticework which surrounds the observation deck is reportedly built in part from standard white PVC pipe (with the original specification markings still somewhat visible)[5] and is meant as a semi-literal representation of the crown of thorns worn by Jesus on the cross, with red coloring for the blood Christ shed in death. The tower's peak features an eternal flame representing Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Abundant Life Prayer Group

The Abundant Life Prayer Group (ALPG), on duty 24-hours-a-day, prays with people via telephone in a room on the observation deck. Since the group's founding in 1958, they have received more than 23 million phone calls for prayer, along with tens of thousands of healing testimonies, including reports of miracles in answer to prayer.[6][7][8]

References

  1. ^ spaceagecity.com/basement retrieved 8 October 2007
  2. ^ Heather Caliendo, "These walls: Oral Roberts University's Prayer Tower". The Journal Record, February 8, 2008.
  3. ^ ORU website, Prayer Room, retrieved 10 January 2010
  4. ^ David Edwin Harrell, Oral Roberts: An American Life (Indiana University Press, 1985), ISBN 978-0253158444, p.224. Excerpt available at Google Books.
  5. ^ roadsideamerica.com Oral Roberts Prayer Tower, retrieved 8 October 2007
  6. ^ Arnett, David (December 15, 2009). "Oral Roberts Dies". Tulsa Today. http://www.tulsatoday.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1429:oral-roberts-dies&catid=58:local&Itemid=106. Retrieved December 21, 2009. 
  7. ^ Behrens, Zach (quoting press release of December 15, 2009). "Evangelist Dr. Oral Roberts Dies at 91 in Newport Beach". LAist. http://laist.com/2009/12/15/evangelist_dr_oral_roberts_dies_at.php. Retrieved December 19, 2009. 
  8. ^ http://www.oralrobertsnews.com/biography.htm

External links