Coordinates: 36°03′02″N 95°57′09″W / 36.05056°N 95.95245°W
The Prayer Tower is a late Googie design-influenced tower located on the campus of Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma.[1] The 200 ft (60.9 m) glass and steel structure opened in 1967. 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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ORU is a charismatic Christian university. According to school publicity the tower's form is laden with Christian symbolism.[2] The Prayer Tower is located at the center of campus to symbolize prayer's utmost importance. The disc and spindle design more or less 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)[3] 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.
The Abundant Life Prayer Group, on duty 24-hour-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 reports of miracles in answer to prayer.[4][5]
   | Oral Roberts University - Oral Roberts University - A Christian College, based in Tulsa Oklahoma. - Oral Roberts University - A Christian College, based in Tulsa Oklahoma. |
| | spaceagecity.com/basement - Googie Architecture On-line: Photo Basement |
| | Oral Roberts Prayer Tower - Oral Roberts Prayer Tower, Tulsa, Oklahoma |
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