In the midst of a lot of talk nationally about health care reform, people gathered locally on Wednesday to pray about the issue.

The gathering coincided with an interfaith service expected to draw 2,000 at Freedom Plaza in Washington, D.C. The focus of both was to pray for health coverage for every member of society.

"The intent is to sincerely pray for the health care system in the United States," said the Rev. Sally Schwab, team leader for spiritual health services at Heartland Health, "and that faith-inspired values will be undergirding whatever health care plan is accepted in our country."

The gathering, although not Heartland-sponsored, took place from 4 to 6 p.m. in the chapel at Heartland Regional Medical Center and was open to people of all faiths. Everyone who attended received a list of four tenets they could use to guide their prayer: that the nation's health care system will come to be inclusive, affordable, accessible and accountable.

The service also included a reading of prayers submitted by people who couldn't attend, including Heartland marketing/communications officer and state Sen. Charlie Shields.

"Please, Lord, let your wisdom lead us in our efforts to move from antiquated systems of care that fail so many to new solutions that will keep people healthy, rather than just treating them when they are sick," part of Mr. Shields' prayer read. "Help us come together on the common goal you have taught us: that we should do all we can to help all people live long and healthy lives."

Sister Rosemary Flanigan of the Center for Practical Bioethics in Kansas City offered a prayer that Americans would come to see basic care as every citizen's right.

"Oh Creator, God who gave us life and breath, you called us to be stewards of this gift," she said. "Thus we should labor to conquer the ill health that debases us or causes us to die too soon."

The Rev. Schwab, too, wrote a prayer for the interfaith gathering - and she hopes that even if people couldn't make it to the event, learning about it will inspire them to be in prayer for the country's health care system.

"God of all creation," she prayed " ... Inspire us, lead us and hold us accountable to your hope for our nation."

Erin Wisdom can be reached

at ewisdom@npgco.com.