Group says Kan. prayer letter non-partisan

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TOPEKA, Kan., Feb. 13 (UPI) -- The head of the Kansas branch of a Christian group says a letter calling for prayers for the state's "dark spiritual areas" was not aimed at Democrats.

The Capitol Commission sent out a letter Feb. 7 asking recipients to pray for specific parts of the state, including Lawrence and the Kansas City area, The Kansas City (Mo.) Star reported. On Tuesday, Paul Davis, the Democratic minority leader in the state House, called the letter "truly offensive" in a Facebook post.

Davis had a question: "Do you think it a coincidence that all of these areas are represented by Democrats in the Kansas Legislature?"

The commission, which has its headquarters in Raleigh, N.C., and branches in 21 states, describes its mission as ministering to the "capitol community."

Dave DePue, the Kansas director, said the letter targeted areas in the state where the economy is troubled. He described his wording as "unfortunate." He pointed out that a number of heavily Democratic areas, including the capital, Topeka, were not named in the letter.