RNS-PAYDAY-LOANS c

Clergy and staff from across Missouri gather in front of a payday loan shop in Jefferson City to pray for efforts to cap the rate lenders can charge in Missouri. The average annual percentage rate in the state is about 444 percent. Religious leaders are pushing for a ballot initiative to cap the rate at 36 percent. RNS photo by W.T. Edmonson

Clergy and staff from across Missouri gather in front of a payday loan shop in Jefferson City to pray for efforts to cap the rate lenders can charge in Missouri. The average annual percentage rate in the state is about 444 percent. Religious leaders are pushing for a ballot initiative to cap the rate at 36 percent.

RNS-PAYDAY-LOANS c

Clergy and staff from across Missouri gather in front of a payday loan shop in Jefferson City to pray for efforts to cap the rate lenders can charge in Missouri. The average annual percentage rate in the state is about 444 percent. Religious leaders are pushing for a ballot initiative to cap the rate at 36 percent.