Governor's Prayer Breakfast 2011

I had an amazing opportunity on Friday morning, March 4. I had the privilege of attending The 2011 Governor’s Prayer Breakfast at the Red Lion. This year marked the 70th anniversary of the prayer breakfast – and it was an exceptional morning to get to be present for.

Those seated at the same table with me included 3 college students (Laurel, Dillon and Josh); Representatives Norma Smith, Brad Klippert and Reuven Carlyle; Norma’s Assistant, Brad; her brother-in-law; and Senator Steve Litzow.

I was invited by Jan Nealey. Our acquaintance began when she and her husband visited Faith Assembly last year. We just happened to sit next to each other – and since I had only been at FAL for 1½ years I certainly had not met everyone, and she was someone I hadn’t met – so I leaned over and said, “I don’t know you.” She laughed at my greeting – and the ‘meeting’ ultimately extended beyond that service.

I followed up our first meeting with finding her husband online, and getting in touch with Jan through him so we could get together this year when they came to Olympia for the Legislative Session. Because of that connection, she called me on Monday night, February 28, to tell me she had an extra ticket for the Friday morning prayer breakfast – and to ask if I was interested. I share all of that detail for a purpose. I’ll connect the dots later.

I had no idea what to expect. I supposed we would pray. I imagined breakfast would be served. After all – it was a Prayer Breakfast. My limited expectations were definitely exceeded.

Every person who spoke or prayed – even the lady who led the flag salute – honored the Lord! (In fact, Brad Klippert added an enthusiastic hu-ah! at the end of the flag salute! If you go online and watch the video of the breakfast you will hear him – and the crowd’s resulting laughter.)

Senator Jim Hargove read from Matthew and talked about the Governor’s challenges of meeting all of the needs of the 6.7 million people (souls) who live in the great state of Washington. He said in his 27 years of service he has never served under a governor who has been more thoughtful, concerned and caring – and that he is honored to call her friend.

Our Governor, Christine Gregoire, in her first words, responded to Jim Hargrove’s introduction and said, “Thank you for your service to our Lord. Thank you for your service to our state.”

She cited Luke’s story of the example of Jesus’ feeding the 5000 with 5 loaves and 2 fishes. She said that the question so often asked is: “How can we, with so little…. help so many who are in need across the State of Washington.” Her response was “Through faith…. …not by ourselves, but together, all of us, in our faith.”

Among other comments, she quoted some statements made by Mother Teresa, “God doesn’t require us to succeed. He only requires that we try.” And, “I know God will not give me anything that I cannot handle. I just wish He didn’t trust me so much.”

Governor Gregoire went on to say, “Mother Teresa did more than most of us could dream of….” And once again she quoted her, saying, “The needs are great and none of us, including me, ever do great things, but we can do small things with great love, and together we can do something wonderful.”

She closed her comments with a blessing: “May God bless each and every one of you and may God bless the people of the great State of Washington.”

I scribbled notes as fast as I could write them – and missed a lot of the terrific comments made – but, the great blessing is that TVW videotaped the Prayer Breakfast, and if you want to hear it/ see it for yourself, you can go to TVW’s site and watch it. I encourage that! It is absolutely worth watching.

Senator Derek Kilmer’s comments were hilarious – and excellent. The student speaker was exceptional. Then we had the joy of hearing an amazing Keynote Speaker, Richard Stearns, the President of World Vision, whose main office is in Federal Way. I have pages of notes…. You can hear it all for yourself online!

Now to connect my earlier dots…. I was seated between Norma Smith and Brad Klippert. Brad very specifically told me he felt called to his role. He is passionate about his call – and his responsibility to fulfill what God has called him to do. When I spoke with Norma, she expressed her faith to me as well. Before breakfast ended, I asked her if she would give me one thing to pray for her about – and she did. Then I asked Brad Klippert the same thing, and he did.

I was suddenly struck by the awareness of being in ‘a God moment’ – that this meeting had been foreordained and designed by God – that right from that first “Hi. I don’t know you” greeting in church to being invited to attend and being at that very table, between those very people, God was weaving a tapestry too intricate for me to have conceived of.

Some 30+ years ago, my pastor in Montesano said that God had told him the next great revival was coming out of the Pacific Northwest. In that prayer breakfast Friday morning, I saw a possibility unfold – that the prophesied revival could come out of our Legislature, not out of a particular church. I witnessed men and women of God who have answered the call to serve God through their service in government – people divinely called to serve. And as I told Brad about the prophecy, he clasped my hands, and said it was an affirmation. Before we parted he clasped my hands and prayed. And God was there!

I left sooooo excited by what I witnessed! God is doing something wonderful. I don’t just want a front row seat – I want to be part of it! And I can – through prayer.